When Royston’s daughter Hannah suffered a brain bleed that resulted in a coma, he and his family repeatedly turned to God in prayer. Over months of waiting, they clung to each other—and to God. The family’s faith awakened, as Royston reflected: “Never has God felt closer.” Throughout the ordeal, they were given “a renewal of faith to persist in prayer” like the “widow of Luke 18.”
Royston referred to Jesus’ story about a widow who continually sought justice from the town’s official, which He gave to illustrate “that they should always pray and not give up” (Luke 18:1). This woman appealed repeatedly to the judge, who in weariness finally relented. Jesus contrasted that uncaring judge with God, saying, “Will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night?” (v. 7).
Although Christ’s story addresses an unjust judge, the family members felt spurred on by it to pray for Hannah, asking the truly just and loving God for relief and help. They found themselves being drawn ever closer to Him: “As we seek God . . . it’s almost as if we’re the ones really waking up from our slumber.” After many months, Hannah woke from the coma and is slowly recovering.
When we draw close to God, He hears our requests and answers according to His grace. He invites us to cry out to Him day or night.
How can you turn your struggles into prayer? How have you seen God answer your pleas and requests?
Loving God, I thank You that You’re not like the unjust and uncaring judge but that You love and care for me.
As in Luke 18, Jesus stressed persistence and boldness in prayer in a story He told His disciples after teaching them the Lord’s Prayer (11:1-4). He said to imagine a man knocking on his friend’s door at midnight to borrow bread because an unexpected visitor had arrived. Even though the man is reluctant to get out of bed, he gets up because of the other man’s persistence. In the same way, we’re to ask God for what we need: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (v. 9). We’re to pray confidently and continually, knowing God hears: Paul said, “In every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
Visit ODBU.org/learning-library/praying-with-persistence/ to hear from James Banks about persisting in prayer.
