The Community of Taizé sing, ‘O Lord Hear My Prayer’. What is your prayer today? What are you asking the Lord to hear today?

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke.

Luke 18:1-8

Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, ‘In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, “Grant me justice against my opponent.” For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, “Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.”’ And the Lord said, ‘Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?’

So, how persistent are you in prayer? Jesus’ message here is clear: don’t give up!

It’s a playful picture and the point hits home all the more strongly for that, would you agree?

What do you pray for? For whom do you pray?

Perhaps you have been praying for someone, or something, for a long time. Your subconscious refrain might have become: ‘I’m feeling jaded, what’s the point?’ rather than: ‘Lord in your mercy, keep hearing my prayer.’

Listen to the passage again. Be encouraged.

Luke 18:1-8

Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, ‘In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, “Grant me justice against my opponent.” For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, “Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.”’ And the Lord said, ‘Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?’

How do today’s words from Jesus make you want to pray?

Bring all your concerns of this moment to God. You might notice that in doing so, you begin not to lose heart.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be

World without end

Amen