Charles Spurgeon Commentary Luke 18

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

"Not to faint" in their expectation of answers to their supplications, and therefore give up prayer; but to persevere in presenting their petitions at the throne of grace, because prayer is never lost labor.

There may be a time during which God does not appear to answer prayer, but he will ultimately answer it; therefore, men ought always to pray, and not to faint in prayer.

If they do not pray, they will faint in many ways. Their courage will faint. All their hope as to the future will faint, and fall into a dead swoon as it were.

So, dear friends, you have your choice between praying and fainting. The doctrine our Savior laid down was that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; and this is the parable which he related in illustration of that truth:

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

An old writer says that many of Christ's parables need a key to unlock them. Here, the key hangs outside the door; for, at the very beginning of the parable we are told what Christ meant to teach by it: that men ought always to pray, and not to faint. And this is the parable: –

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: and there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?

He hears their prayer a long time because it does not weary him.

It pleases him, he loves to hear their sighs and cries, but will he not yield to their entreaties? What think you? Shall not the good, gracious, loving God yield at length?

And he spoke a parable to them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

Especially, not to faint in prayer, not to become disheartened or weary, even if their prayers should, for a long time, remain unanswered.

Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: and there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.

He would not have concerned himself with her case simply because she was a poor widow; he had no heartfelt compassion for her. Nor would it have concerned him at all that her adversary had wronged her. He did not trouble himself to discharge the duties pertaining to his office. No fear of God and no respect for public opinion affected him at all.