Praying in the Not Yet—Persistence

Opening Comments:

Please journey with me in your copy of God’s Word to Luke 18:1-14.

Pg. 824 (Church Bible)

This is God’s inerrant and infallible word. Let’s see what it says:

Luke 18:1–14 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?” 9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Introduction:

Our text today sits as a part of the greater conversation from Luke 17:18-37, where we saw that the Kingdom of God is both already present in the person and work of Christ, but also not yet fully revealed in all of it’s glory and splendor.

Jesus warned that in the days leading up to his second coming people would be numb with indifference and just going about their daily lives while His judgement approaches, just as they did in the days of Noah and lot.

Knowing that the Kingdom of God was both already in their midst but also forthcoming left Jesus disciples and us with an unavoidable question:

How do we live in the between?

How do we function in a world that prefers darkness?

What is it that sustains our faith when sinful men are hostile and unjust toward us?

What do we do when it feels like the “wicked and sinful people” are winning on every front, and Christ still has not returned?

That’s the tension Jesus now addresses in our passage. Both of these parables teach us how to live in the “not yet” of God’s Kingdom. They belong together as one conversation about life between Christ’s first coming and His return.

The first parable (vv. 1–8) teaches us to pray with persistence.

The second (vv. 9–14) teaches us to pray with humility.

We’ll study both, but not today. This morning our focus is on that first parable—the call to persistent prayer in the delay.

In these opening eight verses, Jesus gives us four truths that show what it means to persistently pray in the not yet:

Persistent Prayer Is the Believer’s Lifeline in the Not Yet. (v. 1)

Persistent Prayer Trusts God’s Judgement in an Unjust World. (vv. 2–5)

Persistent Prayer Rests in God’s Righteous Character. (vv. 6–7)

Persistent Prayer Waits in Faith for god’s Final Justice. (v. 8)

1.) Persistent Prayer Is the Believer’s Lifeline in the Not Yet (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.

Luke gives us the point before the parable. That’s incredibly helpful, because we tend to overcomplicate His parables or miss their purpose entirely—just as His own disciples sometimes did.

This is the believer’s non-negotiable posture while living in the “not yet”:

“Pray Always, don’t lose heart.”

“ought always to pray”- Isn’t a call to pray every minute of the day, as if we were monks hidden away in a monastery. It’s describing a life marked by continual dependence; a steady rhythm of trust and communion with God.

Persistent prayer means living every moment aware that we need God’s grace to make it through each day.

That kind of steady, faith-filled prayer isn’t optional as we wait for Christ’s return—it’s what keeps us spiritually vibrant.

A.) Persistent prayer keeps us from becoming cynical.

When we stop praying, cynicism festers.

The harshness and sinfulness of the world will weigh on us and calcify our hearts.

But, prayer, puts all of that into perspective by reminding us that God is in control and his purposes stand strong.

B.) Persistent prayer is how love resists bitterness.

Bitterness is what happens when disappointment hardens into resentment—when hurt from others, even fellow believers, settles deep instead of being handed to God.

Over time it poisons love and corrodes fellowship. But prayer keeps bitterness from taking root. It turns frustration into intercession and reminds us that the same grace we need is the grace others need too. Prayer keeps love alive when everything in us wants to withdraw.

Application: Building Habits

This kind of prayer doesn’t happen by accident. We don’t naturally drift toward prayerfulness.

“Always”only happens if we build habits that make it possible.

Tie prayer to the moments that are already an immovable part of your day:

When you wake up.

Eat.

During your commute.

Go to bed.

When your phone gives you a notification.

Even small moments can become reminders to lift our eyes to heaven:

Psalm 121:1–2 ESV

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? 2 My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

The goal isn’t length—it’s persistence. We sometimes think prayer must be long or or perfectly quiet. And yes, we need those devoted times, but God hears the short whisper in traffic just as clearly as the secret prayer behind closed doors. Even when words fail, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us with “groanings too deep for words”

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Romans 8:26 ESV

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

Persistent prayer isn’t about adding more to your to-do list; it’s about living every moment with an open line to the Father.

Jesus now takes us into the courtroom of a crooked judge who doesn’t care about God or people, where we meet a woman full of persistence. From her we learn:

2.) Persistent Prayer Trusts God’s Judgement in an Unjust World.  (vv. 2–5)

A.) The Judge (v.2)

Luke 18:2 ESV

2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man.

This judge was the opposite of everything God required of judges in His law.

Deuteronomy 16:18–20 ESV

18 “You shall appoint judges and officers in all your towns that the Lord your God is giving you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment. 19 You shall not pervert justice. You shall not show partiality, and you shall not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and subverts the cause of the righteous. 20 Justice, and only justice, you shall follow, that you may live and inherit the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

This judge ignored every bit of that and lived as if he was the highest authority.

Without the fear of God, a person has no moral compass and will only be driven by self-interest.

Because of he didn't fear God his courtroom became a tool of personal convenience and corruption instead of justice.

Jesus disciples would have known judges like this—who could be bought or only moved when it benefitted them.

A judge who answers to know one is dangerous to everyone.

B.) The Widow (v.3)

Luke 18:3 ESV

3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’

In that culture, widows were among the most vulnerable members of society. She has no husband, no money to offer a bribe, and no influence she can wield.

But, she’s relentless in demanding justice.

Justice- More than revenge, it means restoration. It’s setting things right.

Something has been taken or witheld from her and she’s demanding the judge to make it right as the law demanded.

The judge ignores her for a long while, but she refuses to give up. She comes every day until he gives in and admits:

Luke 18:4–5 ESV

4 .’..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.’ ”

“Wear me out”- Lit. “give me a black eye”. It’s an idiom for being beaten down.

He doesn’t act out of justice, he acts because he’s tired of her persistence.

C.) God is nothing like this judge.

This is a parable of contrast. Jesus is saying that God is everything this man is not.

If a selfish, corrupt, godless judge can finally be moved to action for his own comfort; how much more will the righteous Judge of the universe act on behalf of His people?

Understand though, we don’t have to be persistent in prayer to wear God down; we persist because we trust His character. We know He will act in the right time and way.

Persistent prayer doesn’t twist God’s arm, it proves that we trust His goodness.

Application: We live in a world where injustice seems to always win ands righteousness is all but forgotten.

But, when we pray, we’re not knocking on the door of a corrupt judge, we’re calling on a loving Father who delights in the prayers of His children.

Don’t lose heart in the waiting. You may feel unseen, unheard, and overlooked, but persistence in prayer is faiths way of saying “Lord, I trust you, even when I don’t understand your timing”

God’s silence is not His absence, He’s working even when we can’t see it. And, one day the Judge who sees in secret will make all things right.

3. Persistent Prayer Rests in God’s Righteous Character (vv. 6–7)

Luke 18:6–7 ESV

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?

Jesus now shifts to the theology behind the parable by shifting the spotlight off the characters and onto God Himself.

He’s already made the contrast that God is nothing like this judge, but now he presses that truth further by teaching us why we can keep praying even when justice feels delayed.

Our confidence doesn’t rest in our persistence, it rests on the righteousness of the God in whom we place our trust.

Which leads to an important question: Who exactly are the people God promises to hear?

A.) Who are “His Elect”?

Jesus refers to “His elect,” He’s speaking of God’s set apart people, who already belong to Him and are serving his purposes in the world.

The discussion here isn’t around how they became “elect”,it’s about how they live as His “elect.”

This is a reminder that we bear his name and can trust His justice while we wait for His kingdom.

We’re not nameless petitioners, before an unrighteous judge. We’re the chosen people of a righteous king.

He knows us. He hears us. And, He will act for us!

B.) What are they crying for?

He says they “cry to Him day and night” not for comfort but for justice. For God to set right what sin has broken, vindicate His name, and bring His kingdom into full view.

This is the cry of the Psalmist:

Psalm 13:1 ESV

1 How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?

The martyrs in Revelation will cry:

Revelation 6:10 ESV

10 They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”

This should be the cry of all of us who trust God’s righteousness even when we can’t always see it.

Faithful prayer doesn’t ignore injustice, it brings it before the throne of the only One who has the power to make it right!

C.) Why does God delay?

Look back at vs.7 and 8:

Luke 18:7–8 ESV

7 …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?”

Jesus anticipates their next question and then answers it.

From our vantage point, it can feel like God is slow. But scripture teaches us that God’s delays aren’t without purpose.

He delays in mercy — giving sinners time to repent.

2 Peter 3:9 ESV

9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

He delays for witness — allowing His people to display faith through endurance.

He delays for maturity — shaping His children through perseverance.

Romans 5:3–5 ESV

3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

God’s justice isn’t late; it’s timed perfectly.

When the Lord returns, it will be swift and complete. His patience isn’t passivity—it’s holy restraint until the full measure of His purpose is complete.

Application

Persistent prayer doesn’t rest in outcomes it rests in the righteousness of God.

When the world seems upside down and heaven feels silent, remember who sits on the throne.

We don’t cry day and night because we think He’s forgotten us—we do it because we know He hasn’t.

His justice may delay for a time, but His timing will never fail.

4. Persistent Prayer Waits in Faith for God’s Final Justice. (v. 8)

The parable closes with a promise that God will bring justice. And a question meant to examine our faith while we wait.

A.) The Promise

Luke 18:8 ESV

8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily…

Speedily- Sudden not immediate. Without hesitation when it comes.

When the day of the Lord comes, He will not need to gather evidence or deliberate on the verdict. Justice will fall swiftly and perfectly.

Remember what he said in Luke 17: His return will be like lightening flashing across the sky; sudden, unmistakeable and final. The very moment God the Father says “It’s time,” every single prayer for justice will be answered in full.

B.) The Question

Jesus closing question is heavy:

Luke 18:8 ESV

…Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

When He returns, will He find people still praying for His kingdom to come? Still believing He is good? Still trusting His justice?

Jesus presents persistent prayer as evidence for faith in this passage.

Faith, keeps praying when the world mocks.

Faith Keeps praying when heaven seems silent.

Faith keeps praying when the wicked are winning.

Faith keeps crying.

Faith keep trusting.

Faith keeps waiting.

That’s what it means to live, and to pray, in the “not yet.”

Application:

We don’t pray because we see justice, we do it because we know it’s coming.

We don’t keep praying because life is easy, we do it because we know the judge is righteous.

Gods delay isn’t neglect, it’s grace giving time for repentance, for witness, and for the church to endure.

So we keep praying in the “not yet.”

We don’t measure God by the clock, we measure him by the cross. Because the one who already judged sin there, will one day return to judge the world in righteousness.

Conclusion:

We are tempted to grow weary, and except injustice as permanent because we assume God has forgotten. But He hasn’t.

If an unjust judge can be moved by a widows persistence, how much more will the righteous judge act for his people?

If a powerless widow can keep showing up in a corrupt court room, how much more can God’s people keep coming before a loving father?

Church, Jesus is returning!

When he comes, he will bring justice with him. Every wrong will be righted, every tear wiped away, and every prayer vindicated. But until that day, we have to be persistent. Praying, trusting, waiting.

Let’s be found with worn out knees, warm hearts, and unwavering faith.

Invitation:

Would you stand to your feet this morning for a moment of invitation and meditation?

Two invitations this morning:

1. To weary believers: If your heart has grown tired in prayer—if it feels like heaven is silent—don’t give up. Ask the Lord to breathe life back into your prayer life.

Ask Him to strengthen your faith, to help you pray even when you don’t see the answer yet.

He’s not annoyed by your coming; He’s honored by your faith.

2. To those who don’t yet know Christ: The Judge of all the earth will do right—and that includes a righteous judgment on sin.

But the good news is that the same Judge became your Savior. At the cross, justice and mercy met.

Come to Jesus in repentance and faith. He will forgive you, receive you, and make you His own.

Closing Prayer

Father, You are nothing like the unjust judge. You are holy, righteous, compassionate, and near to all who call upon You in truth. Forgive us for the times we’ve grown weary in prayer. Teach us to pray and not lose heart. Make our homes and this church a people who cry to You day and night—not to wear You down, but because we trust You completely. Keep our picture of You clear—You are the righteous Judge, the merciful Savior, the faithful King.

For Your name’s sake, grant justice to Your people. Strengthen the persecuted, comfort the weary, protect the vulnerable, and advance the gospel in every place. And, Lord Jesus, come quickly. When You return, find faith in us. In Your name we pray, amen.