In the Parable of the Persistent Widow, a widow pleads repeatedly to an unjust judge for mercy against her adversary until the judge finally gives in because he’s fearful she’ll attack him if he doesn’t.
The Parable of the Persistent Widow Life Lessons for Today
1. Always Pray and Don’t Give Up
Most of the parables of Jesus have room for interpretation because sometimes their meaning and purpose aren’t clear to readers. However, in the case of the Parable of the Persistent Widow and Unjust Judge, we are given the message of the parable directly.
In Luke 18:1, we are told: Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. This is the heart of the message of the Parable of the Persistent Widow.
2. Our Earnest Prayers Are Pleasing to God
God wants us to come to Him. He wants to help us by showing us swift mercy and justice, as a loving Father does.
He wants us to pray in earnest. But what does that mean?
Praying in earnest is sincere, deliberate, and intense. It means truly pouring your heart into the prayers and seeking closeness to God while you do it.
It’s the difference between pouring your heart out to a loving Father for help and mercy versus demanding your wishes be granted by a genie in a bottle or reciting prayers that aren’t from your heart.
3. Justice and Mercy Are Meant to Increase Your Faith
God enjoys providing for His children. He desires that His gifts of mercy and justice help increase our faith. But do they?
In what state will Jesus find your heart when He returns? Do you see, acknowledge, and appreciate the mercy and justice you’ve been shown? Do you recognize them as God’s work in your life and on your behalf?
When we see God actively working in our lives by answering our persistent prayers and turning wrong things right, He’s giving us all the assurance we need of His existence, His love, and His power.
Keep your eyes, ears, and heart open to God working in your life. Let every example of His presence draw you closer to Him so that when the Son of Man comes, He will find faith on the earth.
4. God Won’t Think You’re Importunate
Sometimes the Parable of the Persistent Widow is referred to as the Parable of the Importunate Widow. The word ‘importunate’ includes an important distinction from persistence. Importunate is persistence but to the point of annoyance or intrusion.
The widow continually pleading with the unjust judge wore him down until he became fearful she’d harm him if he didn’t give her justice.
By contrast, God looks forward to our coming to Him day and night with our prayers and requests. He never tires of us and He never feels that we’re pestering Him.
He takes delight in His children and He wants to hear from us – the more the better!
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More Parables!
Do you love the parables as much as I do? You may enjoy reading life lessons on these others (listed below), these activities for adults and children, or this list of Parables and Meanings. More parable lessons are underway. See them all HERE!
Do you love journaling? Does writing down your personal reflections help you process your thoughts more fully? Perhaps these Christian writing journals will be helpful as you reflect on the life lessons of the parables.
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- The Parable of the Persistent Widow
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- The Parable of the Pearl Life Lessons
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- Take the Lowest Seat Parable Life Lessons
- The Parable of the Prodigal Son Life Lessons
- 5 Parable of the Good Samaritan Lessons
- The Cost of Being a Disciple Life Lessons
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