“Won’t God provide justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he be slow to help them? I tell you, he will give them justice quickly. Luke 18:7-8a, CEB
Are you angry enough to pray? To rebel against the status quo? David Wells, retired professor from Gordon-Conwell Theological School wrote that praying prayers of petition “is the expression of the hope that life as we meet it can be and ought to be otherwise.” Are you feeling, like me in this cultural moment, that our prayers make very little difference in our world?
Read the parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18:1-8. Notice how she repeatedly made her request to the judge, to the point where he says, “this woman is driving me crazy!” Worn out, the unjust judge grants her request! Similarly, the gospel writer invites us to keep on asking, following the widow’s bold example. Notice that God is not like a celestial slot machine where we pull on the lever and expect him to grant any and all our wishes. No, the widow is asking for justice, for something that was right and due her. If the unjust judge relents to her request, how much more will God, who is full of love, compassion, kindness and mercy hear the prayers of his people as we cry out for justice.
Take some time to reflect on this story and cry out to God for an area of injustice you are concerned about. Right now, following the widow’s example, ask persistently for God to be true to his character and that he would bring more of his just, kingdom reign to our hurting and waiting world.
Prayer Prompt: I confess to you, gracious God, that I’ve lost my anger at injustice and find myself despairing at the brokenness of our culture, our world and in the lives of those I know and love. Forgive me for losing sight of your kingdom, that I’m acting as if prayer doesn’t make any real difference. Today, I am bold to pray in faith believing that you “will provide justice to your chosen people who cry out to you day and night.”
Song of the Day: Don’t Stop Praying - Matthew West
