Today’s Gospel:  Luke 17:1-6

REFLECTION
If believing prayer is the instrument to remove mountains and the key to unlock heaven’s treasure house; if prayer can still the tempests of life; unlock prison doors; challenge pagan empires; and deliver innumerable souls from bondage, then surely the church has forgotten how to pray. One has only to turn the dial on a radio set, or switch on the television set any Sunday, and instantly the most beautifully phrased prayers pour forth from the loudspeakers. If the age-old teachings of the Bible are true, probably we should be asking: “Lord, teach us how to pray.” And there is every reason to believe that in answering our prayer the Savior would tell us to consider again the parable of the unjust judge who yielded to the demands of a very insistent woman.

She was a widow, but she was never a fool. Her man had been taken from her but she was not helpless. She was very annoyed; her seething indignation made rest impossible. The adversary had been ruthless, and this knowledge was a festering sore in her soul. The judge who fraternized with scoundrels had listened to her complaint, but his smiles eloquently proclaimed he intended to work hard doing nothing. She was furious! She desired no favors; she merely asked for justice, but unless she had the means with which to bribe the magistrate, her cause had died before it was born. Her neighbors probably asked, “What is the use of wasting time and money on him? Forget your grievance and be more careful next time.” But she shook her head and asked, “Why should that man disgrace his office? My cause is just; I will not give up.” Maybe this is the true basis of all effective prayer. James said, “Ye ask and receive not, because ye ask amiss.” It would be well if all prayers were prefaced by the questions: Is the petition justified? Am I asking for something in alignment with the will of God? If I am sure the prayer is justified, I should pray until the petition is answered.

She was pounding on the door, and the noise of her insistent hammering echoed through the house. The servants had tried to dismiss her, but she was becoming more and more furious. Everybody was becoming a little apprehensive for this was no weakling. Her waving arms and loud voice suggested she was quite capable of punching them in the eye; furthermore, they suspected she would enjoy the exercise! Probably the old judge eavesdropped and what he heard startled him; the woman was a nuisance, but there was every possibility that she would soon be a menace. If she could not gain access to the house, she would stay on the sidewalk until the judge appeared. Yes, she would await His Honor, and provide a most boisterous welcome when he decided to leave the premises. His lordship would hear her complaint, or he might never have the chance to hear any others. Was she afraid? Certainly not. By the time she had finished, she would probably be in the prison, but at least it would afford some satisfaction to know the magistrate would be in the morgue! The eavesdropping judge heard all this, scratched his head, and murmured, “Maybe, I had better do something. It is the quickest and easiest way to get rid of her.” And thus did the Lord Jesus teach that when we need something urgently, we should never give up. Mountains are made to be climbed; doors are made to open, and the suppliant who ceases to pray because his answer does not arrive immediately, proves his desires are shallow.

She was returning to her home; her eyes were shining, but her experience still showed on her face. She had truly meant business, for if that old swindler had ignored her complaint, she would have made his life a misery. Yes, the deed was done; now she could resume her normal life. And Jesus said, “And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them. I tell you that he will avenge them speedily.” There is a most suggestive text in the prophecy of Isaiah and one cannot help but believe it is a companion text to the one now under consideration. “... ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence, AND GIVE HIM NO REST, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth” (Isaiah 62:6-7). Surely this is the companion picture to that presented in the Lord’s parable. The emphasis is on persistent, prevailing prayer. We are enjoined to worry God - to remind Him continually, that His covenant promises have not been fulfilled. There are great mysteries about prayer, but rather than wait until all these have been explained, we should pray until miracles are being performed. It does not really matter how the Lord opens eyes, as long as blind men are made to see. It is a matter of minor importance how the Lord cleanses lepers, as long as He does. Luke’s thrilling picture of the insistent woman suggests we should hammer at the gates of the celestial city until every angel asks, “When, O God, will you answer that Christian?” Then the attention of Heaven will be focused on our problem; then and not before will it be proved that we mean business.

Today’s Reading:  Titus 1:1-9

PRAYER
Lord, when I come to you again and again with a petition, please don’t think I’m hard-headed.  Accept it instead as a show of trust and faith.  In Jesus’ Name we pray.  Amen.