Persistent Prayer: Will the Son of Man Find Faith?

Jesus puts Luke 18:1–8 right between talk of his return and the question of faith, so the parable itself tells the church what to do in the meantime: pray always and don’t give up. The story sets a widow, vulnerable but stubborn, against a judge who doesn’t fear God or care about people. The unjust judge finally caves because he’s worn down. God is no unjust judge. If even a crooked bench yields to persistence, God will much more “grant justice to his elect who cry to him day and night.” The Son of Man’s closing question lands hard: when he comes, will he find that kind of faith on earth.

The text insists that prayer is not a last resort but the standing order for the last days. Jeremiah says, “Call to me and I will answer you,” not “Jeremiah the bullfrog,” but Jeremiah the prophet. Jesus says, “Ask in my name.” James says, “You have not because you ask not,” and when asking goes wrong, it asks amiss. Hebrews shows why boldness fits the moment: Jesus, the great High Priest, has passed through the heavens and knows human weakness without sin. So the throne of grace is open, not for shy entries but for courage, to find mercy and grace in time of need.

The widow’s doggedness pictures the posture the church must hold in evil days. The world is perilous, and the real adversary is not God and not one another, but the devil, who prowls like a roaring lion looking to devour. When knees feel like they’re about to give way, the only landing that makes sense is the floor in prayer. “Pray, then pray some more” is not a slogan; it is training the heart to trust God’s timing when human timing fumes at delay.

The parable also cleans out crooked notions of justice. God is just; people often aren’t. Quick judgments about each other miss the unseen variables God sees perfectly. The text brings the focus back to the right courtroom and the right Judge. The Son of Man’s question finally presses the issue of dependence: will he find a people leaning on their own resources, or a people crying day and night for justice and help. Believing prayer is the need of the hour, and the first believing prayer is repentance and faith in Christ’s finished work. The time to start is now.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Persistent prayer forms durable faith [36:25] Faith does not grow in a hurry; it hardens through the daily grind of asking and asking again. The widow’s steady knock reshapes fear into focus. Over time, persistence moves prayer from crisis management to a way of life. That is the kind of faith the Son of Man is looking for. [36:25]
• 2. God’s timing trains holy dependence [37:20] Delay is not denial; it is discipleship that pries open hidden self-reliance. When answers don’t come on schedule, the church learns who runs the clock. Waiting becomes worship when dependence replaces hurry. Trust matures when the calendar bows to the King. [37:20]
• 3. The real adversary is the devil [50:28] Misnaming the enemy makes prayer scatter. The text redirects attention from human opponents to a prowling deceiver who aims to devour. Once the battle lines are straight, the strategy clarifies: resist by steadfast prayer and sober alertness. Fighting the right war keeps love intact and petitions sharp. [50:28]
• 4. Bold access rests on a sinless Priest [42:43] Courage in prayer is not swagger but shelter under Jesus’ righteousness. He knows temptation’s pressure without sharing its guilt, so his intercession opens the throne room. Boldness, then, is obedience, not presumption. Mercy and help flow where the Son stands. [42:43]
• 5. Christ will weigh faith by dependence [52:57] The returning Son will not count slogans; he will find hearts that leaned hard on the Father. The question “Will he find faith” exposes what supports the soul when resources run thin. Prayer reveals the answer long before the sky splits. Dependence is faith with its boots on. [52:57]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [34:54] - Framed by Christ’s return
• [35:24] - What to do while waiting
• [35:42] - Praying in the last days
• [36:00] - Persistent prayer and an unjust judge
• [37:53] - Reading Luke 18:1–8
• [38:10] - The widow’s plea for justice
• [38:49] - God’s justice to his elect
• [39:37] - The call to pray always
• [40:30] - “Call to me” from Jeremiah
• [42:43] - High Priest and the throne of grace
• [44:02] - Don’t quit, pray again
• [50:28] - Naming the real adversary
• [51:27] - Bulldog faith that won’t quit
• [52:57] - Will the Son find faith
• [54:54] - Believing prayer for this hour
• [55:26] - Prayer of repentance and faith
• [57:04] - Invitation to respond

1. What two characteristics of the judge are highlighted in the parable, and how does his response to the widow contrast with God’s character?
2. The widow’s persistence is described as “continual coming” (v. 5). What specific actions or attitudes does this imply about her approach to seeking justice?
3. In the sermon, it was emphasized that prayer is “not a last resort but the standing order for the last days” [35:42]. What examples or teachings from Scripture were mentioned to support this idea?

1. Why do you think Jesus chose a widow and an unjust judge to illustrate the importance of persistent prayer? What does this reveal about God’s heart toward those who feel powerless?
2. The parable ends with a question: “Will [the Son of Man] find faith on earth?” (v. 8). How does persistent prayer demonstrate genuine faith, and why might its absence concern Jesus?
3. The sermon warned against misidentifying the real adversary (the devil) [50:28]. How might blaming other people or circumstances instead of recognizing spiritual warfare weaken our prayer life?

1. Reflect on a situation where you’ve felt tempted to give up praying. What practical step could you take this week to “pray again” with the same stubborn persistence as the widow?
2. The sermon stated, “Delay is not denial; it is discipleship” [37:20]. Where in your life do you need to trust God’s timing instead of demanding immediate answers? How could waiting become an act of worship?
3. The devil is described as a “roaring lion” seeking to devour (1 Peter 5:8). What specific lies, fears, or distractions is he using to discourage your prayer life right now? How can you actively resist them?
4. Bold prayer is rooted in Jesus’ role as our High Priest [42:43]. What sin or struggle do you need to bring “boldly” to the throne of grace this week, trusting His mercy over your guilt?
5. The closing question asked, “Will [Jesus] find a people leaning on their own resources, or a people crying day and night for justice?” [52:57]. What area of your life reveals self-reliance instead of dependence on God? What would it look like to surrender that area in prayer today?