Power in Prayer

 

In this week’s Gospel, Luke 18:1–8, we are taught that prayer and persistence are the keys to a faithful relationship with the Lord. It begins with a parable where Jesus tells His disciples how important it is to pray—and to continue praying—even when it feels like our prayers aren’t being answered.

In the story, a woman repeatedly asks a judge to help her gain justice against her enemies. For a while, the judge refuses. But eventually, he gives in—not because he is righteous, but because of the woman’s persistence. The judge wasn’t a believer in God; in fact, he was nothing like Jesus. Yet even he granted the woman justice.

This parable reminds us that praying isn’t enough on its own. Yes, prayer is part of our faith, but we are called to go deeper—to pray with persistence. We can pray in good times and in bad. We can pray when everything is going our way just as much as when life feels heavy.

I’m no stranger to hard times, and I’m sure I’m not alone. Isn’t it amazing that we’ve made it through every single one of our challenges? Maybe with a few bumps along the way, but our faith remains. It remains because, just like in the parable, we know that justice is coming.

As believers, we are called to pray with complete confidence in the Lord. He hears our requests. He knows who we are and what’s in our hearts. If a non-believing judge can grant justice, imagine what our loving Lord will do for us.

This week, we are reminded that there is extraordinary power in our prayers. We know that what the Lord wills will always come to pass—and the Lord always wants what’s best for us. So let’s continue to pray—not from a place of desperation, but from a place of faith, knowing that we have already received the greatest gift of all: salvation through our Lord.