What an Arrogant Judge and a Desperate Widow Can Teach Us about Prayer
“And He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
“And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge His own elect, which cry day and night unto Him, though He bear long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:1-8)
I don’t know about you, but there are certain passages of Scripture that just seem baffling to me. And this is definitely one of them. Through the Holy Spirit’s prompting, I have begun to pray that when I come across these passages, God would give me just a little nugget of understanding and truth from them.
And that is what God has done for me with this passage. As I have been studying prayer this year, I have asked many questions.
What is prayer? It’s talking to God. That’s not so hard to understand.
When should I pray? Always! There is no wrong time to pray.
What should I pray about? Anything and everything. Whatever God has put on my heart is worth praying about.
How should I pray? Now that’s a different story. And that’s where this parable comes in. One of the ways God wants us to pray is persistently, faithfully, and importunately.
In the past, when I have read or studied Luke 18, I always tried to find similarities between the widow and myself, and between the judge and God. That was my first mistake. Rather than looking at this story as a comparison, it ought to be looked at as a contrast. I am not like the widow, and my God is not like the judge. Let’s look at some specifics together.
1. The widow was a stranger to the judge, but God’s praying people are His own—“whom He knows, loves, and delights in, and has always concerned Himself for.” (Henry) In Scripture, we are reminded over and over that God wants to have fellowship with us. In fact, that’s why He created us in the first place.
“O Lord, Thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, Thou understandeth my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, Thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid Thine hand upon me.” (Ps. 139:1-5)
2. The widow was one woman, alone in her plight. That was actually a big part of her problem. She had no husband to provide for her, defend her, or protect her. And someone was trying to take advantage of her. We’re not exactly sure how, but it was serious enough that she was seeking legal help. But when we are saved, we are adopted into the family of God—a huge tribe from every nation on earth. And God Himself becomes our Father.
“And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” (Rev. 5:9-10)
“According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.” (Eph. 1:4-5)
3. The judge was not approachable to the widow. He caused her to keep her distance by his attitude (He did not fear God) and by his position of authority, as opposed to her position of humility. Believers, however, are invited into the Father’s throne room, taught to approach Him boldly, and are granted the right to call Him “Abba, Father.”
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:16)
“Ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” (Rom. 8:15)
“For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” (Is. 57:15)
4. The judge was arrogant and unjust. The parable plainly states that he did not fear God or man. Our God, to whom we pray, is righteous, loving, kind, and good, “one that regards His own glory and the comforts of His poor creatures, especially those in distress.” (Henry) Of course He will be ready to hear and answer our prayers.
“Bow down thine ear, O Lord, hear me: for I am poor and needy…For Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon Thee.” (Psalm 86:1, 5)
“Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” (Jer. 33:3)
5. The widow begged help from the judge solely on her own account. He had no reason to think she was honorable or deserved his attention. We are represented to God by His own Son, Jesus, who not only pulls His Father’s heart strings due to their relationship, but He also earned the right to plead our cause by paying the penalty for our sin. He is our great Advocate, and He ever lives to make intercession for us.
“Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them” (Heb. 7:25)
“Grace be unto you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father.” (Gal. 1:3-4)
6. The widow had no one to speak for her, not even a rookie state-appointed attorney. Christians have the the Holy Spirit Who takes our pitiful groanings and turns them into prayers to which the Father can respond.
“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” (Rom. 8:26-27)
7. There was no guarantee of success for the widow. But we are told to come boldly before God’s throne with many promises for answers and comfort. Christ has already secured our success, not just for a day or a brief period of time, but for all eternity.
“If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” (Jn. 15:7)
“And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us.” (I John 5:14)
8. The widow only had access to the judge at certain times—either in his court room or, if she was lucky, as he would come and go from his house to the courts. God invites us to come before Him day and night, at any time, and to remain with Him for as long as we please.
“Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and He shall hear my voice.” (Ps. 55:17)
“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” (Eph. 6:18)
9. The result of the widow’s persistence (importunity) was that she “provoked” the judge to answer. He gave in and answered just to get her off his back. God, however, is pleased and delighted to have us come to Him for assistance and comfort.
“The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is His delight.” (Prov. 15:8)
“Preserve me, O God: for in Thee do I put my trust. O my soul, thou hast said unto the Lord, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee; (I have no good apart from You.) but to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all My delight.” (Ps. 16:1-3)
Despite all these benefits that God extends to us, humans grow weary of praying and waiting for answers. Which is why true prayer—importunate, persistent, continual prayer—requires faith. While God delights to answer our pleas, He also delights when we spend time with Him and learn to trust His heart, even in the dark. Our growing, strengthening faith is His goal, along with working all things together for our good and His glory.
Matthew Henry states in his commentary on this passage that this parable was “designed to teach us fervency in prayer.” The parable assumes that God’s people are actually praying. And therein is the primary lesson. If we pray sporadically, occasionally, or fitfully, we have not yet learned to pray biblically. Henry continues, “We must pray and never grow weary of praying, nor think of leaving it off till it comes to be swallowed up in everlasting praise.”
In other words, pray till a matter is resolved or till God gives peace to leave it unresolved. In either case, we can praise Him for it.
Don’t waste another day thinking that your prayers are subject to the whims of a despot, an unkind, unjust magistrate who only does what is convenient for him. No! Your prayers are heard by a gracious and loving God who is attentive to your cries, quick to respond, and ready to extend His grace to meet your needs.