10-19-25 Traditional Worship

Devotional

Day 1: Persistent Prayer: Never Give Up

Jesus teaches that prayer is not a one-time act but a continual, persistent conversation with God, even when answers seem delayed or situations feel hopeless. Like the widow who kept returning to the judge, believers are encouraged to keep coming to God with their needs, trusting that He hears every request. This persistence is not about wearing God down, but about expressing faith and dependence on Him, knowing that He delights to hear from His children. Even when life is exhausting and hope feels distant, God invites His people to keep praying and not lose heart, for He is always listening and ready to respond in love. [21:43]

Luke 18:1-8 (ESV)
And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’ And the Lord said, ‘Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?’”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have felt tempted to give up praying? Can you bring that need to God again today, trusting that He hears you?

Day 2: God’s Heart: Not Like the Unrighteous Judge

Unlike the judge in the parable who gives in out of annoyance, God is a loving Father who delights to hear from His children and desires to give them what they truly need. He is not reluctant or distant, but attentive and compassionate, always ready to listen and respond out of His goodness. Even when His answers seem delayed or different from what is expected, it is not because He is tired of us or indifferent, but because He knows what is best and works in ways beyond our understanding. God’s heart is for His people, and He invites them to come boldly and persistently, knowing they are always welcomed. [33:59]

Matthew 7:7-11 (ESV)
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”

Reflection: When you pray, do you picture God as reluctant or as a loving Father eager to hear you? How might your prayers change if you truly believed He delights in your voice?

Day 3: Wrestling with God: Bold and Honest Prayer

Prayer is not meant to be timid or distant, but bold, persistent, and even stubborn—like Jacob wrestling with God in the Old Testament. God invites His people to wrestle with Him in prayer, to bring their deepest struggles, doubts, and desires honestly before Him, holding Him to His promises. This kind of prayer is not about changing God’s mind, but about clinging to His faithfulness and being shaped by His presence. Even when God seems silent or distant, He wants His children to keep seeking, knocking, and wrestling, trusting that He will bless them in His time and way. [39:22]

Genesis 32:24-28 (ESV)
And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.”

Reflection: Is there a promise of God you need to “wrestle” with in prayer today—persistently bringing it before Him even if you don’t yet see the answer?

Day 4: Jesus, Our Intercessor: Praying in His Name

Jesus not only teaches about prayer but also intercedes for His people, bringing their prayers before the Father with His own nail-scarred hands as proof of God’s justice and love. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice and ongoing advocacy, every prayer is heard and welcomed by God, not because of our worthiness but because of Christ’s finished work. Believers can approach God with confidence, knowing that Jesus stands as their advocate, ensuring that their prayers reach the Father’s heart. This truth gives courage to pray boldly and persistently, trusting in the power and love of Christ. [37:35]

Hebrews 7:25 (ESV)
Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

Reflection: How does knowing that Jesus Himself intercedes for you change the way you approach God in prayer today?

Day 5: Clinging to God’s Promises: Faith That Endures

Persistent prayer is ultimately about holding fast to God’s promises, even when circumstances are difficult or God seems silent. God has bound Himself to His people by His Word and in baptism, pledging His faithfulness and inviting them to trust Him completely. When believers pray, they do so not on their own merit, but on the basis of God’s unbreakable promises, confident that He will keep His Word. This kind of faith endures through struggle and doubt, refusing to let go of hope, because God is always faithful and will never turn away those who come to Him. [40:50]

2 Corinthians 1:20 (ESV)
For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.

Reflection: What is one promise of God you need to cling to today, especially in an area where you feel discouraged or weary?

Sermon Summary

Today’s reflection centers on Jesus’ parable of the persistent widow and the unrighteous judge, as found in Luke 18. The heart of this teaching is the call to always pray and not lose heart, especially in the face of life’s many discouragements. Life is full of moments that tempt us to give up—whether it’s in our work, relationships, or personal struggles. We live in a world that expects quick fixes, and when those don’t come, hope can easily fade. Yet, Jesus’ words point us to a deeper struggle: the challenge of maintaining faith when God seems distant or silent.

Jesus acknowledges that the life of faith is not easy. He tells his disciples that a time will come when they will long to see him face to face, to have the certainty that comes from his physical presence. We, too, know that longing. Faith can feel especially hard when God’s promises seem delayed or when prayers go unanswered. But Jesus gives us this parable to encourage us: just as the widow refused to give up, so should we persist in prayer, trusting that God hears us.

Unlike the judge in the parable, who grants justice only to be rid of the widow, God is a loving Father who delights to hear from his children. He invites us to come to him with everything—our needs, our fears, our hopes—not because he is unaware, but because he desires relationship and conversation with us. Prayer is not about informing God of something he doesn’t know; it’s about clinging to his promises, wrestling with him in faith, and allowing our hope to be renewed.

Martin Luther’s insight on prayer is especially helpful here: prayer is not timid or distant, but bold and persistent, even stubborn. God has bound himself to us by his promises, and he invites us to hold him to his word. Even when God seems silent, we are called to wrestle with him, to keep praying, and to trust that he will bless us—not because we wear him down, but because he wants to be found and he delights in our faith.

Persistent prayer is not about changing God’s mind, but about being shaped by his promises and strengthened in faith. Even when answers are delayed or different from what we expect, we can trust that God knows what we truly need. In Christ, our prayers are heard, our faith is not in vain, and our hope will never be lost.

Key Takeaways

1. Persistent prayer is an act of faith that clings to God’s promises, even when circumstances tempt us to give up. The widow’s relentless pursuit of justice is a model for how we are to approach God—not with resignation, but with boldness and hope, trusting that he hears and cares for us. [33:59]
2. God’s invitation to pray is not a burdensome command, but a gracious gift. The Creator of the universe desires conversation with his children, not because he needs information, but because he delights in relationship and wants to strengthen us through our dependence on him. [36:12]
3. Wrestling with God in prayer, as Jacob did, is a sign of deep trust. Even when God seems silent or distant, we are called to persist, to “knock at the door,” and to hold him to his promises, knowing that he has bound himself to us by his word and will not fail us. [39:22]
4. The purpose of persistent prayer is not to change God’s mind, but to be shaped by his faithfulness. As we pray, we are reminded of God’s character and his promises, and our faith is strengthened to endure seasons of waiting, uncertainty, or apparent silence. [40:50]
5. God’s answers may not always align with our desires or timing, but his love and wisdom surpass our understanding. Even when his answers seem delayed or different, we can trust that he is working for our good, and that in Christ, our hope is secure and our prayers are never in vain. [42:16]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[05:07] - Announcements: Reformation Celebrations
[06:21] - Visioning Trinity’s Future
[17:10] - Gospel Reading: Luke 18
[19:10] - Children’s Message: The Lego Car and Persistence
[20:50] - The Parable of the Persistent Widow
[21:43] - God’s Heart for Our Prayers
[26:26] - Introduction to the Parable’s Meaning
[27:22] - Losing Heart in Life and Faith
[29:31] - The Struggle of Faith in Jesus’ Absence
[32:33] - The Widow’s Social Standing and Persistence
[33:59] - God’s Greater Willingness to Hear
[36:12] - The Invitation and Command to Pray
[38:29] - Luther on Wrestling with God in Prayer
[40:50] - Clinging to God’s Promises in Prayer
[42:16] - Trusting God’s Answers and Enduring in Hope
[42:54] - Confession of Faith

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Luke 18:1-8 (ESV) — And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’ And the Lord said, ‘Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?’”

Observation Questions

In the parable, what are the main differences between the widow and the judge? What do we learn about each of their characters?
According to Jesus, why does the judge finally give in to the widow’s request? ([21:17])
How does Jesus compare God to the judge in the parable? What point is he making about God’s character? ([33:59])
What does Jesus say about faith at the end of the parable? Why do you think he asks, “When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” ([29:31])

Interpretation Questions

The sermon mentions that life is full of moments that tempt us to give up, especially when prayers seem unanswered. Why do you think Jesus connects persistent prayer with not losing heart? ([26:54])
The widow keeps coming back to the judge even though he doesn’t care about her. What does her persistence teach us about how we should approach God, especially when he seems silent or distant? ([33:09])
The sermon says that God’s invitation to pray is not a burdensome command, but a gracious gift. How does this change the way we think about prayer? ([36:12])
Martin Luther is quoted as saying that prayer should be bold, persistent, even stubborn. What does it look like to “wrestle with God” in prayer, and why might God want us to do that? ([38:29])

Application Questions

The sermon talks about how easy it is to lose hope when life doesn’t give us quick fixes. Can you think of a time when you felt like giving up on something important—maybe even prayer? What did you do? ([29:31])
Jesus says to “always pray and not lose heart.” What are some practical ways you can remind yourself to keep praying, even when you feel discouraged or when God seems silent? ([26:54])
The widow in the parable was bold and persistent. Is there something in your life right now that you need to bring to God with that same kind of persistence? What would it look like to do that this week? ([33:09])
The sermon says that God delights in hearing from us—not because he needs information, but because he wants relationship. How does this truth affect the way you approach prayer? ([36:12])
Sometimes God’s answers are delayed or different from what we expect. How do you usually respond when God’s answer is “wait” or “no”? What might help you trust his timing and wisdom more? ([42:16])
The idea of “wrestling with God” in prayer can sound strange. Have you ever felt like you were wrestling with God about something? What did you learn from that experience? ([38:29])
The sermon says that persistent prayer is not about changing God’s mind, but about being shaped by his promises. Is there a promise of God that you need to cling to right now? How can you hold onto it in prayer this week? ([40:50])

Sermon Clips

And Jesus says the same is true with God. Of course, God is not unrighteous like this judge is. But the point Jesus is making is this. If even an unrighteous judge is willing to grant justice just to get some peace and quiet, how much more, how much more will your righteous and loving Father in heaven, who has called you by name, who has redeemed you by the blood of his son Jesus, how much more will he delight to hear from you and give you what you need when you come to him in prayer? [00:33:57] (44 seconds) #GodInvitesConversation

So Jesus says, for this reason, pray and don't lose heart. Because Jesus wants us to understand that in prayer we should be like this widow. We should be like this widow. We should be like this widow. We should be like this widow. We should be persistent in our prayers toward God. [00:34:41] (19 seconds) #JesusIntercedes

Well, it's because first and foremost, God actually commands it. He commands us to come to him in prayer. And that's not meant to be a heavy law that he places down on you. You must pray to me, but it's actually a gracious, gracious invitation. I mean, think about it. The creator of the universe, the ruler over everything invites you to pray to him because he wants to hear from you. [00:35:45] (35 seconds) #GodKeepsPromises

Of course, God, he's not unrighteous like this judge. He doesn't need to be worn down like this widow. He doesn't need to be worn down like this widow did in our text for today. He doesn't need to be worn down like that before he listens, but he's already tuned his ear to you. He's already opened the way for you to pray to him, to have your voice be heard. And he's done that through Jesus because Christ himself is your intercessor. He's your advocate before the Father. The one who tells us this parable is the same one who now leads your cause, who brings your prayers to the God, to our Father in heaven. [00:37:07] (43 seconds) #FaithThatEndures

Because, Luther says, God has already spoken to you. He has already spoken to you. He has already spoken to you. He has already spoken to you. He has already surrendered himself to us in his promises. He has bound himself to us by his word. He has bound himself to you in your baptism. And he pleasures his faithfulness to you with a note saying, truly, truly, I say to you, whoever or whatever you ask in my name, the Father will give it to you. And if God says something, if God says something and promises you something, he's going to keep it. [00:39:28] (39 seconds) #WrestleWithGod

He has bound himself to you in his word. And he keeps his word. And so that's what it means to pray and to not lose heart. To cling to God's promises. Even to hold God to the word that he has given to you. To hold God to the promises that he has given to you. Even when he seems silent or distant, he calls us to wrestle with him like Jacob. And to wrestle with him like Jacob. Until he blesses us. And he does bless us. Not because we wear him down like this widow did with the judge, but because he wants to be found. He wants to be wrestled with. He wants to hear from you, his children. And he promises to hear our prayers. And if God makes a promise, he keeps that promise. And we can boldly hold him to that. [00:40:07] (64 seconds) #FaithNotInVain

And so that's the heart of persistent prayer. It's not about changing God's mind. It's about holding fast to his promises so that our faith, our hope is strengthened. And we can hold these promises to him and say, here I come. And I pray not of my own accord nor of my own worthiness, but at your commandment and promise, which cannot fail or deceive me. [00:41:12] (32 seconds)

Jesus calls us to this prayer so that we don't lose hope. That when he does come back, he does find faith on earth. Because the Father in heaven is not like this unjust judge. He does not grow weary of your voice or tired of your requests. He loves to hear from you. He delights to hear from you. [00:41:43] (23 seconds)

And even when his answers may seem delayed or his answer is not something that you maybe wanted, it's not because he's forgotten. It's not because he's not listening to you. It becomes because sometimes God works in ways that we quite, don't understand, or maybe we can't see. Or God knows, and God knows what we truly need more than even ourselves do. [00:42:06] (28 seconds)

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