The Persistent Widow
A widow keeps asking an unjust judge for justice until he grants her request just to get rid of her. How much more will God answer those who cry out to Him!
Luke 18:1-8
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The Story
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.
He said: 'In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, "Grant me justice against my adversary."
For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, "Even though I don't fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually come and attack me!"
And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly.
However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"'
The parable works by contrast, not comparison. If even an unjust, uncaring judge will eventually respond to persistent pleading, how much MORE will a loving, just God respond to His children?
The widow had no power, no influence, no husband to advocate for her. All she had was persistence. She kept coming. She refused to give up. And she got what she asked for.
Jesus' question at the end is haunting: 'When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?' Will He find people still praying, still trusting, still persisting?
The Woman Who Wouldn't Give Up
Kids Version
Jesus told a story to teach us to keep praying and never give up:
There was a judge in a certain town. He was NOT a nice man. He didn't care about God, and he didn't care about people. He was selfish and mean.
A widow lived in that town. Someone had treated her unfairly, and she needed the judge to help her. 'Please give me justice!' she asked.
Did the judge help her? NOPE. He ignored her.
But the widow didn't give up!
The next day: 'Please give me justice!'
The judge ignored her.
The next day: 'Please give me justice!'
Ignored again.
Day after day after day, the widow came back. She kept asking. She REFUSED to give up!
Finally, the judge thought, 'I don't care about this woman, but she's driving me CRAZY! If I don't help her, she'll keep coming forever!'
So he gave her what she asked for—just to get rid of her!
Jesus said, 'Did you hear that? Even a MEAN judge finally helped because she kept asking. Think about GOD! He's not mean—He LOVES you! If you keep praying, won't He answer you? He definitely will!'
Then Jesus asked a serious question: 'But when I come back, will I find people who still have faith? Will I find people still praying?'
The lesson: Don't give up! Keep praying! God hears every prayer, and He WILL answer!
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Characters in This Story
Settings & Locations
Scripture — Luke 18:1-8 (KJV)
1And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
2Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: in a city: Gr. in a certain city
3And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
4And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
5Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
6And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
7And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
8I tell you that he will avenge them speedily . Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
Memory Verse
“And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;”
— Luke 18:1 (KJV)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of “The Persistent Widow” in the Bible?
A widow keeps asking an unjust judge for justice until he grants her request just to get rid of her. How much more will God answer those who cry out to Him! This story is found in Luke 18:1-8.
Where is “The Persistent Widow” found in the Bible?
“The Persistent Widow” is found in Luke 18:1-8, in the book of Luke.
What can children learn from “The Persistent Widow”?
This story teaches children about Persistent prayer, God answers, Faith, Justice. A widow kept asking a mean judge for help. She asked and asked until he finally helped her! Jesus says we should keep praying and never give up.