Christ’s return is imminent, and only the elect will be prepared to receive Him when He comes. One of the primary ways believers prepare themselves for that glorious day is through prayer. J.C. Ryle emphasized the necessity of prayer when he wrote, “Prayer is to faith what breath is to life.” Prayer is not merely a religious activity but a sign of genuine conversion and living faith. Through prayer, believers endure the trials of life, remain dependent upon God, and keep their hearts fixed upon eternity. For this reason, Jesus presents a parable in Luke 18:1–8 that reveals one defining mark of a true believer ready for Christ’s return: persistent prayer.
Persistent prayer characterizes the life of every genuine Christian. Luke introduces the parable by stating that Jesus taught His disciples that they “ought always to pray and not lose heart.” The Lord intentionally uses this parable to impress upon His followers the necessity of continual prayer. Persistence in prayer does not mean maintaining an uninterrupted verbal conversation with God every moment of the day. Rather, it refers to consistently turning to God, regularly seeking Him, and continually depending upon Him throughout every season of life. A prayerless life reveals spiritual weakness, while a life marked by persistent prayer demonstrates a heart that continually looks to God.
This is because prayer is not merely beneficial—it is a divine necessity. In the Greek text, the phrase “ought to” carries the force of obligation and could rightly be understood as “must.” Jesus is not offering a suggestion but declaring a duty for every believer. Regardless of difficult circumstances, delayed answers, or prolonged suffering, Christians must continue to pray. Persistent prayer reflects humility because it acknowledges that God’s wisdom, power, and timing are greater than our own. Every time believers bow before the Lord, they confess their dependence upon Him.
Consequently, persistent prayer is not an optional aspect of the Christian life but one of its defining expressions. It flows naturally from the new nature God gives to His people. The Apostle Paul likewise commands believers to be “devoted to prayer” (Rom. 12:12). Jesus further explains that persistent prayer is God’s appointed means of preventing His people from losing heart. As long as we remain in this fallen world, there will be countless reasons to become discouraged, weary, and overwhelmed. Yet Christ calls His disciples to continue trusting Him rather than surrendering to despair. Through persistent prayer, believers remain steadfast and prepared for the day their Lord returns. Therefore, regardless of pain, disappointment, or hardship, Christians must cling to prayer because it is one of the means God uses to preserve their faith.
What, then, causes believers to lose heart and abandon persistent prayer? Surprisingly, the danger exists not only during difficult times but also during seasons of prosperity. Many believers readily turn to God when trials arise, yet in times of comfort, prayer is often neglected. This is particularly true in prosperous societies where self-sufficiency can easily replace dependence upon God. Spiritual complacency grows when life becomes comfortable. Doubt may also emerge when Christ’s return seems delayed, and believers lose their sense of anticipation. Furthermore, self-reliance tempts individuals to believe they can accomplish life’s goals without God’s help. The danger of neglecting prayer extends far beyond the loss of a spiritual discipline; it reveals a deeper issue of the heart. When we cease to pray, we gradually cease to trust God.
By contrast, persistent prayer strengthens confidence because it continually reminds believers that the living God hears His people. Without a proper understanding of the God before whom we kneel, prayer becomes empty repetition or disappears altogether. Charles Spurgeon wisely observed, “If God did not mean to hear us, He would not bid us pray.” Just as faith is rooted in Christ, prayer is the fruit that faith produces. Prayer is faith in action. Moreover, because believers are citizens of heaven, prayer lifts their eyes above the concerns of this world and fixes them upon the eternal kingdom that awaits them.
Persistent prayer also sustains hope. As believers repeatedly bring their concerns before God, they grow in their trust of His character and promises. Prayer becomes a weapon against discouragement and spiritual fatigue. Rather than becoming consumed by the fleeting concerns of the present age, believers learn to set their minds on the world to come. In this way, prayer serves as a continual reminder that Christ is returning and that God’s promises will surely be fulfilled.
To illustrate this truth, Jesus tells the story of a widow who continually sought justice from an unjust judge. The judge neither feared God nor respected people, yet he eventually granted her request because of her relentless persistence. Her repeated petitions wore him down. The language of the passage conveys the cumulative effect of her continual appeals. If an unrighteous judge can be moved by persistence, how much more will a perfectly righteous God hear and answer His elect who cry out to Him day and night? The argument is one from lesser to greater. God’s commitment to His people is infinitely greater than the judge’s reluctant response to the widow. He dwells among His people, hears their prayers, and will ultimately vindicate them.
This promise naturally raises an important question: Who are the elect whom God promises to hear and vindicate? The elect are those who truly believe Christ will return—not merely as a doctrine held in the mind, but as a reality embraced by the heart. They order their lives in anticipation of His coming. They trust in the sufficiency of God’s grace, seek Him in every circumstance, repent when they sin, and continue pursuing Him regardless of the strength or weakness of their faith. As John Calvin wrote, “If you are looking for evidence of election, look to Christ. If you trust Him, cling to Him, and desire Him, you need not search beyond Him.” One of the clearest evidences of such faith is persistent prayer. The elect continue praying because they trust God’s promises and await His perfect justice.
As believers face the reality of Christ’s sudden appearing, persistent prayer may often be difficult, but it remains essential. Jesus knew many would fall away from faith and cease seeking God. Therefore, He gave this parable as a warning and an encouragement to His disciples. The temptation to lose heart remains just as real today as it was in the first century. Yet Christ calls His people to persevere in prayer so that they will not become spiritually weary while waiting for His return.
This leads directly to Jesus’ sobering question in verse 8: “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?” The central issue is not merely whether people are praying, but whether genuine faith will remain. The kind of faith Jesus describes is a persevering faith—a faith that continues trusting God despite delays, difficulties, and disappointments. Such faith expresses itself through persistent prayer. While many may be swept away by worldly distractions or discouraged by life’s hardships, the elect will endure because God preserves them. Their lives will continue to be marked by dependence upon Him.
Ultimately, persistent prayer is the outward expression of persistent faith. Prayer itself is not the final focus of the passage; rather, prayer reveals a heart that continues trusting in God. The faith Jesus seeks at His return is a faith that perseveres, a faith that trusts God’s promises, and a faith that continually seeks Him in prayer. Therefore, one defining mark of a true believer ready for Christ’s return is persistent prayer—a prayerful dependence upon God that endures until the day the Son of Man appears.
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