One of the principles of the Christian lifestyle is: “always pray and never give up.” Jesus gave this principle to His disciples in the parable of the widow, and the unjust judge found in Luke 18:1-8.
I think you have already noticed that at the heart of this principle is an unwavering hope and pursuit of God. It is a reliable rule that can and should be followed under challenging situations.
“Always Pray and Never Give Up”: Understanding Persistent Prayer Through Jesus’ Teaching
The stories we find in the Gospels, spoken by Jesus, although they may seem graphic, are, in fact, information carriers. Let us not forget who Jesus is. He is God. That is why the information he gives is so important and reliable.
Jesus informs us that constant prayer is the means of maintaining a relationship with God. After his ascension, it will be necessary to maintain an intense relationship through prayer. This applies not only to the apostles but also to all believers, even to all people.
In the phrase “should always pray and never give up,” we encounter a challenge inherent in this spiritual practice. In anticipation of this, Jesus gives us the most essential principles to guide us in times of difficulty.
The path of prayer is not easy because it is not easy to balance the spiritual and the material. It often happens that we begin the practice of prayer with sincerity; it gives us joy and peace, but we soon give up and abandon it in the face of the temptations or challenges of this world.
The Reasons We Struggle: Why Do We Give Up on Prayer?
There can be many reasons why we stop praying.
- Lack of faith.
When people lack faith, they are impatient. They do not believe in God’s timing but trust their own delusion that God will adapt to their consumerist demand of “here and now.” And when it turns out that everything happens not according to human timing but according to God’s, they get disappointed, give up, and stop praying.
- Lack of trust in God.
When people do not trust God, they do not believe that God will fulfill what He has promised. Then, they depend on favorable circumstances, lucky coincidences, or the actions of others. They want all sorts of additional safeguards, such as horoscopes, positive energy, the Universe, divination, etc. In such cases, prayer has no power; the person’s doubts are confirmed, and they quickly stop praying.
- Not knowing God.
Most people give up and stop praying because they cannot cross the threshold dictated by the material world, which does not allow them to believe that in God’s world, “the impossible is possible.” Although they declare that they believe in God, they essentially do not believe in His omnipotence and think that God obeys Newton’s laws.
- Lack of consistency.
Such people, as Apostle James says, are like reeds swayed by the wind. One day, they believe in God; the next day, they believe in Eastern Philosophy and are fascinated by the spiritual practices of yoga; the next day, they travel to Tibet in hopes of Enlightenment. They themselves no longer know who they are. The Bible clearly states: “That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.”
“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.” (James 1:6-8)
It is not by chance that in Jesus’ parable, the widow’s situation is depicted very dramatically. It shows how many factors try to destroy the petitioner’s perseverance and to give up prayer.
We must understand that the essence of the principle “always pray and never give up” is to trust in God’s omnipotence, timing, and love, regardless of circumstances.
The Parable of the Persistent Widow: A Lesson in Persistence
Jesus chose the parable of the stubborn widow to show how different the nature of God is from that of the material world.
The figure of the unjust judge is the opposite of God, a typical symbol of a godless, selfish, greedy, prideful world. He pretends to make decisions for the common good and justice, but in reality, he looks for his own gain and does not care about true justice.
The widow embodies a vulnerable, abandoned, and helpless humanity in the face of a predatory world. In its position of power, the world is offended and annoyed when someone demands justice or truth. It, therefore, seeks to ridicule, scorn, and silence. But despite the desperate situation, determination and perseverance can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
Jesus wants to convey to his disciples that the impossible becomes possible through prayer. God is almighty, willing, and ready to help, and His power can be realized through prayer. “With God, all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)
“Always Pray and Never Give Up”: The Key to Persistent Prayer
Through the widow’s example, several key lessons about prayer emerge:
- Confidence in Prayer. We must approach our prayers confidently, especially when they align with God’s promises, embodying the principle of “always pray and never give up.”
- Urgency and Desperation. Our prayers should reflect a sense of urgency, particularly when interceding for others. This aligns with God’s desire for all to be saved and calls for a heart that mirrors His compassion.
- Belief in God’s Perfect Timing. Embracing the mindset of “always pray and never give up” requires unwavering belief in God’s timely response, even when His timeline differs from ours.
- Sole Dependence on God. Our prayers should be founded on the belief that only God can provide the solutions we seek, steering us away from overreliance on human intervention.
Persistent Prayer in Our Daily Lives: Living Out “Always Pray and Never Give Up”
Every day, some situations mirror the widow’s situation in the Gospel. Yes, the world is not an ideal place. Sometimes, giving up and letting life take us downstream is tempting. But that would be unchristian and not in God’s will. The Bible reminds us: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:13)
In such moments of weakness, accept the principle of Jesus, “always pray and never give up,” as advice for spiritual help in a difficult hour.
This principle opens our eyes to the fact that in a relationship with God, your desired result is not the most essential thing in persistent prayer. The most important is walking with the Lord towards the goal step by step, not at your dictated pace, but at the Lord’s.
Therefore, persevere, and your prayer will inevitably be answered.
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Best Prayer for Strength
Prayer for Hope
Prayer of Encouragement
Conclusion: “Always Pray and Never Give Up” as a Way of Life
“Always pray and never give up” is not just a principle; it is a position of Christian life. It expresses an abiding relationship with God based on love and justice. This relationship is unbreakable, no matter how the circumstances of life change.
By making this principle part of our worldview, we strengthen our Christian identity and gain the strength to face life’s challenges.
