Luke 18

Scripture Focus:
“Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart.”
— Luke 18:1 (NRSVUE)

Reflection

Luke 18 begins with a story about persistence—a widow who refuses to give up until justice is done. She keeps coming to an unjust judge until he finally relents. Jesus tells this story to remind us to pray always and not lose heart.

Prayer can sometimes feel like knocking on a closed door, especially when answers don’t come quickly. But this parable isn’t about pestering God—it’s about trusting that God hears, even in silence. It’s about holding on to hope when circumstances haven’t yet changed.

Later in the chapter, Jesus tells another story—a Pharisee and a tax collector at prayer. The Pharisee boasts of his righteousness, while the tax collector simply pleads, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” One prays from pride; the other from humility. Jesus reminds us that God listens not to impressive words, but to sincere hearts.

Advent invites us to both persistence and humility—to keep praying, to keep believing, and to keep our hearts open. The God we wait for is listening. The One who comes at Christmas comes to meet us in our need, not our perfection.

Prayer

Merciful God,
You hear every cry of the heart.
Teach us to pray with faith that endures
and with humility that trusts Your timing.
When our prayers feel unanswered,
help us not to lose heart.
When pride creeps in, remind us of our dependence on You.
Renew our hope and our confidence
that You are near and at work in all things.
Amen.

Practice

Take a moment to name one prayer that has been on your heart for a long time—
something you’ve prayed for again and again.
Write it down, and beside it, add these words:
“I will not lose heart.”

Keep that note somewhere you’ll see it this week.
Each time you notice it, whisper a simple prayer of trust:
“God, I know You hear me.”

Copyright © 2025 Ronda Welander