Slices
Prepare
‘O God, you are my God, and I long for you’ (Psalm 63:1, GNB). Reflect on these words. Relish the security of being God’s child. Tell him about your longings for him.
Bible passage
The parable of the persistent widow
18 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: ‘In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, “Grant me justice against my adversary.”
4 ‘For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, “Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!”’
6 And the Lord said, ‘Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?’
Explore
Wouldn’t it be great if Jesus and his kingdom were fully here? Right now. No suffering, injustice or violence. Don’t we ‘long to see … the days of the Son of Man’ (17:22), when evil will be overthrown and justice restored?
Like a poor widow woman (v 3), with no power or influence to change her circumstances, we can feel ourselves the victim of faceless systems, and of unjust decisions made by the powerful élites of our day. Jesus would later warn his followers of their particularly vulnerable status in the eyes of the world (Luke 21:17). Vulnerable? Yes. Powerless? No.
Jesus urges his vulnerable followers to pursue justice through the powerful means of prayer (v 1). Pray passionately, stubbornly, faithfully (vs 3–5). For, if even a bad judge listens to cries for justice, how much more will a good, just God do so for his people (vs 6,7). The question is, will Jesus find people ready to suffer for him, faithfully crying out to him for justice (8b)? Does he find you in that position?
Respond
Scripture Union has workers around the world, including in countries where it is risky being a Christian. You can find out more here: https://scriptureunion.global. Cry out in prayer for them, and for any known to you personally who are suffering for their faith.
Deeper Bible study
‘Permanence, perseverance, and persistence in spite of all obstacles, discouragements, and impossibilities: it is this that in all things distinguish the strong soul from the weak.’1
Luke begins this parable by telling us the lesson – to show the disciples ‘that they should always pray and not give up’ (v 1). It can be easy to lose heart in our prayers and to give in to disappointment. Perhaps we fear that God is powerless to answer. Or, worse still, perhaps he simply doesn’t really care. Unanswered prayer over time leads us to confront such difficult questions.
Widows and orphans were some of the most vulnerable people in first-century culture, for they had no family to uphold their cause. As in other parables, Jesus contrasts the faithful character of God with a sinful human, in this case an uncaring judge. The point is simple – if a grumpy, cruel judge will eventually give in to a persistent widow, how much more will a good and loving God bring justice to the oppressed as they persevere in asking? We can trust that he hears us, that he cares and that he is powerful enough to answer – though not always in the way we might want or expect.
Persistent prayer doesn’t necessarily mean mindless repetition or endless prayer sessions. It means keeping an expectant heart of faith open to God continually, as we live in him day by day, trusting that he will answer. It may seem that God is delaying, but his timing always has a purpose – we often find that it is our process of growth and character refinement that God is actually most interested in. There is nothing like learning how to wait in faith and expectation to develop patience and godly character within us.
‘When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?’ (v 8). This means faith that perseveres. Have you given in to disappointment, in a way that has caused you to close your heart to God or to stop asking with expectation? Repent today, and ask God to renew your ability to persist in faith.
1 Thomas Carlyle, 1795–1881
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Ezekiel 12,13; James 4
Pray for Scripture Union
Give thanks for the impact of schools work run by local mission partner Trobwynt on the Lleyn Peninsula. Pray too for schools worker Eleri Trythall as she gets married on Saturday to Gruffydd Davies who also started part-time work with the trust in September developing sports ministry and discipleship groups.
Scripture Union Global Week of Prayer
From 4-8 November, SU movements around the world are joining together in prayer for the work that’s happening in over 120 countries. We’ll be sharing the daily prayer themes here so that you can participate. For more information and further resources can be found on the Scripture Union Global website.
Day 3: Financial challenges
• There are no SU Movements around the world that are not restricted by financial limitations. Even those in ‘rich’ countries have to pray and work hard to make ends meet at the end of each financial year. God has been generous and oftentimes provided the necessary resources. Praise God for his provision in your own country and in the other SU Movements around the world.
• In some places God is opening door after door for ministry opportunities, but the insufficient number of volunteers and the financial incapacity is not allowing SU ministries to walk through these doors and serve the children and young people who need Jesus. Pray for creativity and fresh approaches to how to deal with the lack of resources.
• Pray for new partnerships locally and globally with people who are committed to contribute to the ministry God has called us to do.
• Pray that we all are using the resources God has entrusted us with in a wise and transparent manner.
