John Calvin Commentary Luke 18:1

"And he spake a parable unto them to the end that they ought always to pray, and not to faint;" — Luke 18:1 (ASV)

We know that perseverance in prayer is a rare and difficult attainment. It is a manifestation of our unbelief that when our first prayers are not successful, we immediately abandon not only hope but also all fervency in prayer. However, it is an undeniable evidence of our Faith if we are disappointed in our wish and yet do not lose courage. Therefore, Christ most properly recommends to his disciples to persevere in praying.

The parable which he employs, though apparently harsh, was admirably suited to instruct his disciples that they should be insistent in their prayers to God the Father, until they finally draw from him what He would otherwise appear unwilling to give. This is not because our prayers achieve a victory over God, bending him slowly and reluctantly to compassion, but because the actual events do not immediately make it evident that he graciously listens to our prayers.

In the parable, Christ describes to us a widow who obtained what she wanted from an unjust and cruel judge because she did not cease to make earnest demands. The leading truth conveyed is that God does not immediately grant assistance to his people because he chooses to be, as it were, wearied out by prayers. Furthermore, however wretched and despicable the condition of those who pray to him may be, if they do not cease from the uninterrupted practice of prayer, he will finally regard them and relieve their needs.

The parties between whom the comparison is drawn are, indeed, by no means equal; for there is a wide difference between a wicked and cruel man and God, who is naturally inclined to mercy. But Christ intended to assure believers that they have no reason to fear that their persevering pleas to the Father of mercy would be refused, since by insistent supplication they prevail even with men who are given to cruelty. The wicked and iron-hearted judge could not avoid finally yielding, though reluctantly, to the earnest pleas of the widow. How then can the prayers of believers, when perseveringly maintained, be without effect?

If we feel exhaustion and weakness when we give way after a slight effort, or if the fervency of prayer languishes because God appears to lend a deaf ear, let us rest assured of our ultimate success, though it may not be immediately apparent. Holding this conviction, let us contend against our impatience, so that the long delay may not cause us to stop praying.