We pray every day and the importance of prayer is emphasized in the Scriptures today. The first reading we have heard today, I think, we should read and re-read. If you are a responsible father, mother, grandparent, godfather, godmother, teacher or a good friend, there is a lesson to learn from it. Moses should be a model for us. “As long as Moses kept his hands raised up, Israel had the better of the fight, but when he let his hands rest, Amalek had the better of the fight. Moses' hands, however, grew tired; so they put a rock in place for him to sit on. Meanwhile, Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other, so that his hands remained steady till sunset. And Joshua mowed down Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.” (Ex 17:8-13) Moses holding up his arms is an Old Testament gesture for prayer. As long as Moses holds up his arms in prayer everything goes well. When Moses no longer holds up his arms in prayer there are problems. I think we can also see Moses holding up his arms in prayer as anticipating Christ holding up his arms in prayer on the Cross winning the battle over evil and sin for us.
In the Gospel today (Luke 18:1-8), Jesus teaches a parable about the importance of constant prayer. The widow in the parable receives her request because she was persistent and we ought to be equally constant in prayer. Jesus illustrates how God as our Judge and Vindicator, is much quicker to come to our defense and to bring us his justice, blessing, and help when we need it. But we can easily lose heart and forget to ask our heavenly Father for his grace and help. Faith-filled persistence reaps the fruit of justice and grace. Jesus told the parable of the persistent widow and the unjust judge (Luke 18:1-8) to give us fresh hope and confidence in God's unfailing care and favor towards us (grace). In this present life, we can expect trials and adversity, but we are not without hope in God. The Day of the Last Judgment will reveal that God's justice triumphs over all the injustices perpetrated by a fallen world of sinful people and that God's love is stronger than death. Those who put their faith in God and entrust their lives to him can look forward with hope and confident assurance. They will receive their reward - if not fully in this present life, then surely and completely in the age to come in God's kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy.
Jesus ends his parable with a probing question for us. Will you and I have faith - the kind of faith that doesn't give up or lose hope in God - but perseveres to the end of our lives - and to the end of this present age when the Lord Jesus will return in glory as Ruler and Judge of All?
Faith is an entirely free gift that God makes to us. We could not believe, trust, and persevere with hope if God did not first draw us to himself and reveal to us his merciful love and care. If we want to grow and persevere in faith until the end of our days, then we must nourish our faith with the Word of God and ask the Lord to increase it.
When trials and setbacks disappoint you, where do you place your hope and confidence?
Do you pray with expectant faith and confident hope in God's merciful care and provision for you?
Let us Pray, "Lord Jesus, increase my faith and make it strong that I may never doubt your word and promise to be with me always. In every situation I face - whether trials, setbacks, or loss - may I always find strength in your unfailing love and find joy and contentment in having you alone as the treasure of my heart."