Persistent Faith: Lessons from the Parable of the Persistent Widow for Weary Moms
As a mom of four, I’ve become accustomed to being asked the same question repeatedly.
“Can I have candy? Can we go to my friend's house? Can we go to the park? Can I take out the paint? Can we watch a show?”
I often feel exhausted by the sheer number of times I’ve answered the same question. Sometimes I give in to a request just so I will not hear the question asked again.
It reminds me of the parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18. This woman repeatedly goes to a judge asking for justice against her adversary. Eventually, the judge grants her request “so that she doesn’t wear me out” (v. 5).
I don’t know if I’ve ever related to a parable more.
Jesus is making a point here. He’s telling His disciples that if even an unrighteous judge will meet the request of someone persistent, how much more will God, in His justice, meet ours? The part that really sticks with me is what Jesus says at the end: “When the Son of man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8, CSB).
Unlike my children, who seem to have an endless capacity for persisting, I can grow weary in my prayers when it doesn’t seem like much is changing. I may begin praying earnestly for something I feel is in alignment with scripture, but after weeks or months with no apparent change, my prayers might become less frequent. Or sometimes non-existent.
Yet Jesus challenges me with that small line— will He find faith on the earth?
I may not be able to change circumstances myself. I might not even be able to prevent discouragement. But can I offer faith? Can I still contend with faith for the Lord’s will to be done in my life?
Even if more time passes than we hope.
Even if the answer we get isn’t the one we expect.
Even if it looks like an answer never comes.
Let us remain persistent.
Lord, help us not grow weary in our faith. May we continually come to You as children, trusting in Your timing, with the confidence You hear our prayers. May we be a generation, and may we raise a generation, of people who operate in faith that pleases You. And may Your will be done. Amen.
Meet the Author
Mary Kate Brown
Mary Kate and her husband Brian are high-school sweethearts who left their lifelong home in the Chicago suburbs to build their homestead in rural Western Michigan. She's a homeschooling mama of four daughters and a homebody who enjoys making hot breakfasts, working in her garden, and frequenting the local farmers market. After overcoming health challenges due to autoimmunity, her passion is pursuing wholeness beyond her diagnosis. She encourages other mamas to do the same to shape the wellness of their families.
