Do Not Lose Heart

Luke 18:1-8

Rev. Heather Carlson

October 19, 2025

 

Do not lose heart

Jesus was a master teacher, and in this parable from Luke, we see great pedagogy at work. Right from the beginning, Luke tells us the purpose of the story: Jesus told them this parable “to show them that they should always pray and not give up.”

Jesus introduces us to two characters: a widow and a judge. In the ancient world, a judge wasn’t just a legal figure. He had a moral and theological role—he was expected to represent God’s justice, protect the vulnerable, and uphold peace and wholeness (shalom) within the community.

In contrast, a widow had almost no social standing. She had no legal right to her husband’s property and often no male figure to represent her in court. She was vulnerable to exploitation and usually had no real avenue for justice. She was exactly the kind of person the judge was supposed to defend.

But this particular judge “neither feared God nor had respect for people.” He was unfit for his role and unwilling to hear the widow’s case. And yet, the widow doesn’t shrink back. She doesn’t give up. She keeps coming to him, again and again, pleading: “Grant me justice against my adversary!” She has no position of power—but she has persistence.

Eventually, the judge gives in—not because he suddenly cares, but because he’s worn out. “I will grant her justice,” he says, “so that she won’t wear me out.”

Now, Jesus is not saying that God is like this corrupt judge. In fact, the message is the opposite: if even an unjust judge can be moved by persistence, how much more will our loving Father respond to those who come to Him in prayer?

Pastor Vivian Fernandes in Mumbai once said, “The greatest tragedy is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer.” Often, our prayers go unanswered simply because we don’t ask. James 4:2 puts it plainly: “You don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it.”

Why Don’t We Ask?

1. Our Culture

In Canadian culture, we often hesitate to ask for help. We say things like, “I hate to bother you, but…” even for small things like passing the salt. That same hesitation can carry over into our spiritual lives. But we need to know this: we are never a bother to our heavenly Father. He welcomes our prayers. Taught us “give us this day our daily bread - needs.” We can persist daily!

Tony Campolo tells of filling his pockets with change when he’s visit nieces and nephews. He delighted in their asking. He had lots of good things to give, and wanted to! 

2. A Naturalistic Worldview

Famous astronomer (Carl Sagan) once said, “The cosmos is all that is or ever was or ever will be.” This view—called naturalism—says that reality is only what we can measure: matter, energy, space, and time. It leaves no room for the supernatural, no room for prayer.

When this mindset creeps into the church, we often shift our focus to good works and social justice. While those are important, they only address symptoms. If we ignore the spiritual realm, we miss the deeper root issues. There is a real God and real evil. If we only feed our minds with natural explanations, our spiritual awareness fades and we are less likely to pray, let alone persist in prayer. 

3. Overreaction to the Prosperity Gospel

The prosperity gospel falsely teaches that God always wants His people to be healthy and wealthy, and that suffering means something is wrong with your faith. This message is often preached by those living in luxury, using the gospel for personal gain.

Many sincere believers, rightly disturbed by this false teaching, go too far in the other direction. They become reluctant to ask God for anything, fearing it might be selfish. But there’s a difference: the prosperity gospel focuses on asking for personal gain. The true gospel calls us to ask for God’s will to be done—for others, for His kingdom. James 4:3 warns, “When you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.”

That doesn’t mean we can’t pray for our own needs. Of course we can! But our prayers are not centered on ourselves.

Make that person do what I want, but your will be done. How would you have me act and love while we are in tension or conflict? 

4. We Don’t Think We Qualify

After the Last Supper, Jesus shared final lessons with His disciples, knowing they were about to fail Him. He even knew Peter would deny Him. Yet to these very people, Jesus said, “If you abide in me and I in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given to you” (John 15:5–8).

None of us abides perfectly. Not one. And yet Jesus promises to answer our prayers. Prayer itself is a part of abiding. It doesn’t just change circumstances—it changes us. So don’t wait until you feel “worthy” or spiritually mature to pray. Pray, and you’ll begin to grow in your walk with God.

5. Misunderstanding God’s Character

God is not like the unjust judge. Scripture is full of reminders that God delights in answering our prayers.

• “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find…” (Matthew 7:7–8)

• “Call to me and I will answer you…” (Jeremiah 33:3)

• “If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” (1 John 5:14–15)

Our heavenly Father is wise, loving, and just. He responds not reluctantly, but willingly—and at the right time, in the right way. Persistent prayer is not nagging. It’s a bold declaration of faith: “God, I believe You are good. I believe You hear. And I will not stop coming to You.”

Jesus ends the parable with a question: “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” Will He find a church that is still praying? Still trusting? Still seeking justice? Still persevering? Will He find us faithful—not just in good times, but in the long, weary seasons when answers seem delayed and even justice feels distant?

That is the faith of the widow. That is the kind of faith we are called to. May He strengthen us to be faithful by his power and grace.