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The Persistent Widow: Why Jesus Says to Pester God

The Persistent Widow: Why Jesus Says to Pester God

Last updated on: August 6, 2026 at 10:14 pm by Beverly R. Green

The Persistent Widow: Why Jesus Says to Pester God 2026-08-06T22:14:14-04:00 Beverly R. Green

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The Art of the Parables: Part 8

Parables of Persistence

I remember the time when every day was an endless stream of “Mama, Mama, Mama, MAMA, hey Mom, Ma, Moooooomeeeee, MOTHER …” Children. If they’re nothing else, they’re persistent. And truth be told, it usually works out for them. You know what? According to Jesus, that’s not always a bad way to be.

I Chase Sunsets series note:

This is “The Art of the Parables” series. To read part seven, click here.

The primary parable where Jesus explicitly tells his followers to be persistent is the Parable of the Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1-8).

“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’

“For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!'”

And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

This short parable teaches believers to always pray and to never lose heart. Paired with the Parable of the Friend at Midnight (Luke 11:5-13), these stories encourage bold persistence.

Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.

“So I say to you: Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

The parables do not reflect a lack of faith. They do teach that persistent prayer reaches out in trust in God’s timing, knowing that answers will come, even when they feel delayed. Remember 2 Peter 3:9: “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” We don’t know everything that God is up to.

In January, I wrote about a conversation that I had with my eighteen-year-old granddaughter. She told me that once she moves to college, she intends to find a job, that she will probably find someplace like a coffee shop, apply, then go every day and tell them that she is a good, hard worker, that she is loyal and reliable, and that they need her. She said she will be a pest, and giggled about it.

I smiled. Persistence is not a bad thing. I told her, “The Bible gives a precedent.” Like it was for my granddaughter, this week’s word is

PERSISTENCE

Another parable addresses persistence, or, more accurately, persistent readiness. It is recorded in Matthew 25:1-13, the Parable of the Ten Virgins:

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

“At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

“Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’

“‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

“But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

“Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’

“But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

Five “wise” bridesmaids persistently brought extra oil for their lamps, and five “foolish” ones didn’t. When the bridegroom was unexpectedly delayed until midnight, the foolish ones ran out of oil and missed the wedding feast while trying to buy more.

The story is a powerful call for constant, spiritual readiness. Traditionally, the bridegroom represents Jesus, the virgins represent believers, and the extra oil symbolizes personal faith, grace, and an active relationship with God. It emphasizes that true readiness cannot be borrowed at the last minute; it requires persistent preparation, or what we might call constant readiness.

Constant readiness does not mean being in a constant state of panic. Instead, it is mobilization that never quite switches off. So, the body remains subtly alert with muscles holding a low level of tension. Attention stays outward-facing, scanning for what might be needed next. Even during moments that should feel restful, the system does not fully disengage. There is an underlying sense of “just in case.” In worldly terms, this is not always good; in spiritual terms, it is always necessary.

Scripture encourages our persistent preparation and our constant readiness. Of all the characters in the parables, it was those who persisted who got what they desired–just like those insistent children I referenced. So what else does Scripture tell us about persistence, perseverance, determination, and constant readiness? Actually, a lot.

Scriptures about Persistence

Galatians 6:9 ESV

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Luke 11:9-10 ESV

And I tell you, 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.

Proverbs 24:16 ESV

For the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity

2 Thessalonians 3:13 ESV

As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.

Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Philippians 3:14 ESV

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

James 1:1-27 ESV

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. …

1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV

Pray without ceasing,

1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

James 1:12 ESV

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

Romans 12:12 ESV

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Ephesians 6:18 ESV

Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 ESV

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;

God bless you, and hang in there like a rusty fishhook! God isn’t finished!

Read Part 9 – Influence

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