Keep Praying

Keep Praying

Series: What He Said: The Parables of Jesus Subject: How does God really answer prayer in contrast to the unjust judge? Complement: God responds not reluctantly but lovingly—always for our good, always on time. Homiletical Idea: Keep praying—God hears, God cares, and God will act.

Luke 18:1–8 ESV

1 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’ ” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

Introduction:

Have you ever felt like your prayers were hitting a ceiling? Like your words bounced off the walls and came back empty? You prayed for healing… and got silence. You prayed for change… and saw no difference. You prayed for peace… but woke up in the same storm.

Let’s be real—prayer is powerful, but it’s also perplexing. Because while we believe God answers prayer… we struggle when the answer feels delayed or denied.

Have you ever felt like your prayers were hitting a ceiling? Like your words bounced off the walls and came back empty? You prayed for healing… and got silence. You prayed for change… and saw no difference. You prayed for peace… but woke up in the same storm.

Let’s be real—prayer is powerful, but it’s also perplexing. Because while we believe God answers prayer… we struggle when the answer feels delayed or denied.

Luke places this parable right after Jesus speaks of His return and the coming Kingdom in chapter 17. He’s been teaching about what it means to wait in faith for the justice of God in a world where justice feels far off. And now, to press the point home, Jesus tells a story—not about kings or prophets—but about a widow and an unjust judge.

But in Luke 18, Jesus gives us a parable to keep us praying and keep us from losing heart. He doesn’t give a theory on prayer—He tells a story. A widow. A wicked judge. And a lesson we can’t afford to miss.

This story reminds us that God is not like the judge—He’s far better. He doesn’t answer prayer with indifference. He answers with love. He answers with grace. He answers with your best interest at heart.

Transition: Jesus opens the parable with His purpose clearly stated: to show us we ought always to pray and not lose heart. That’s a powerful word for those who feel like giving up.

God Hears Our Persistent Prayers (v.1)

Luke 18:1 ESV

1 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.

In first-century Israel, widows were among the most vulnerable. They had no legal standing, no male advocate, and no social power. If they wanted justice, they had to fight for it—often alone.

This widow kept showing up. She had no leverage. No money. No connections. But she had persistence.

But here’s the twist: Jesus isn’t comparing God to the judge—He’s contrasting them. If an unjust judge gave in to persistent pleas, how much more will our loving Father respond to our cries?

Jesus uses —not a wealthy landowner, not a religious leader, but a marginalized woman—as the hero of this story. Why? Because God hears the cries of the overlooked, the underestimated, and the underrepresented.

Illustration: Like when your child keeps asking for help—you don’t respond just because they ask… you respond because you care. And God is a better Father than any of us.

Application: Don’t stop praying just because the answer hasn’t come yet. Keep going. Keep knocking. Keep trusting. God hears—even when the answer delays, it’s not denial. Delayed doesn’t mean denied. Silence doesn’t mean absent. When you pray, you are heard.

Transition: But Jesus doesn’t just want us to know that God hears—He wants us to feel the truth that God cares. That’s what comes next in the parable.

God Cares with Tender Compassion (v.7)

Luke 18:7 ESV

7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?

Jesus wants us to see the heart of God in contrast to the coldness of the judge. This widow had no status, no influence, no voice in society—but she still cried out.

This woman’s cries weren’t quiet or occasional—they were relentless. And Jesus says the same about His people: we cry out day and night.

Now here’s what Jesus wants us to understand: If an unjust man can eventually respond to a cry he doesn't care about, how much more will a just God respond to cries from people He loves?

God isn’t unmoved. He’s not emotionally detached. He’s not rolling His eyes at your prayers—He’s leaning in to them. When His children cry out, God doesn’t just hear it—He feels it.

Hebrews 4:13 says. . .

Hebrews 4:15 ESV

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

meaning He is deeply affected by our weakness, pain, and need. That means your cries reach His ears and His heart.

Isaiah 59:1 reminds us:

Isaiah 59:1 ESV

1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear;

God hears you clearly. His hand isn’t too short to reach you. His ear isn’t too dull to hear you.

Lazarus would tell you, He is a God who weeps at graves (John 11). The deaf man in Mark 7, would tell you, He is a God who groans in His Spirit (Mark 7:34). Matthew 9 would tell you, He is a God who was moved with compassion for crowds (Matthew 9:36)—and He hasn’t changed.

So when you pray, don’t picture a stone-faced judge— Picture a loving Father who leans over heaven’s rail and says, “That’s my child… and I hear you.”

Application: When you're burdened, broken, or barely holding on—go to God. He’s not the judge in the story. He’s the Father in the shadows. And He always responds in love.

Even when you don’t understand His hand—trust His heart. You may not see what He’s doing, but you can be sure—He’s doing it in love. You may not feel the answer, but you can rest in this truth—He hears your cry, and His heart is for you.

Transition: But let’s be honest—some of us are hanging on by a thread. You’ve been persistent… and you still haven’t seen results.

Pastoral Encouragement: Now somebody here might be saying, “Pastor, I hear you… but I’ve been praying. I’ve been crying out. And nothing's changed. Does God even hear me?"

Let me speak to your heart: You are not ignored—you are important to God. Just because He hasn’t answered yet doesn’t mean He won’t. Just because it feels like He’s silent doesn’t mean He’s absent. His delay is not His denial.

He may be protecting you from something, preparing something better, or perfecting something in you.

Need proof God answers prayer? Look around this sanctuary—

Somebody prayed for healing—and got it.

Somebody cried for their child—and that child’s here today.

Somebody was drowning in depression—but now they’re clothed and in their right mind.

Somebody lost it all—and still found peace in Jesus.

You’re not alone. Not forgotten. Not without hope.

And if you need undeniable proof—look to the cross. God answered the cry of a broken world by sending Jesus. He answered your sin with His Son. And if He gave you Jesus… what makes you think He won’t give you what you need?

Transition: God doesn’t just hear and care. He moves. He responds. But He does it in His time, in His way, and with our best in mind.

God Always Does the Right Thing at the Right Time (vv.7-8)

Luke 18:7–8 ESV

7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

God’s justice doesn’t always show up when we want… but it always shows up right on time. “Speedily” here doesn’t mean instantly—it means certainly. When God moves, He moves in power and precision.

Habakkuk 2:3 says:

Habakkuk 2:3 ESV

3 For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.

In other words, He may not come when you want Him—but He’s always right on time.

Illustration: It’s like a GPS rerouting—may take longer, but you’ll still reach the destination. God may reroute—but He never loses track of His plan for your life.

Application: You may not see the answer today, but trust this: God is too wise to be early, and too loving to be late. He’s not just doing something soon—He’s doing what’s best. He may not com when you want Him but He is always on time. He may seem silent… but He’s working behind the scenes. You may not understand the delay… but His delay is preparing your deliverance.

So trust His timing— Because He always does the right thing… at the right time.

And if you need proof, just check the record:

Abraham waited for a son—and God gave him Isaac right on time.

Joseph sat in prison—but the dream was fulfilled right on time.

The Israelites stood at the Red Sea—but God parted it right on time.

Lazarus was four days dead—but Jesus showed up right on time.

And at the fullness of time—He sent Jesus to save us right on time!

You can trust His heart… because you can trust His timing! He’s never too soon. He’s never too late. He’s always right on time.

Transition: So how do we respond to a God who hears, cares, and acts?

Conclusion:

Jesus ends with a question: “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” Will He find people who are still praying… still believing… still trusting?

Let’s be those people. Let’s be the ones who don’t quit. Who don’t give up. Who don’t let go.

When you can’t trace His hand—trust His heart. Trust that He hears you. Trust that He cares for you. Trust that He will act in love.

Hoop

Because we don’t serve a God like that judge… He ain’t hard-hearted… He’s holy! He ain’t stingy… He’s a supplier! He ain’t indifferent… He’s Immanuel! The judge said “no” for a while… but God said “yes” when He sent Jesus!

He didn’t delay when it came to your salvation— No! He came down forty and two generations— He answered the cry of a sinful world— With nails in His hands, and thorns on His head— He answered by dying on Friday… He responded by laying in the grave on Saturday… And early Sunday morning— He acted with power and rose with all authority in His hands!

So keep praying! Keep believing! Keep trusting!

When you’re in the waiting room of life—trust His heart. When you’re burdened with no breakthrough—trust His heart. When the tears fall and answers seem far—trust His heart.

Because God hears… God cares… And God will act!