As a widow, she was vulnerable, lacking power and social capital in her patriarchal culture. As a woman, her testimony in court held no value, but there was no man in her life to plead her case. So, she went day after day to beg for justice from her adversary, beseeching a judge who “neither feared God nor cared what people thought.” (Luke 18:2b, NIV) In spite of this, he eventually heard the widow’s case and ruled in her favor saying, “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!” (Luke 18:4b-5, NIV)
Jesus used the parable of the persistent widow with His disciples “to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” (Luke 18:1b, NIV) By choosing a person with no power, authority, or social connections as His subject, Jesus shows that God responds to heartfelt perseverance, not worldly credentials. And while it’s encouraging to know that the Lord welcomes our tenacity in prayer, sometimes asking repeatedly gets tiring. Maybe even a little discouraging. Over the years of waiting for certain prayers to be answered, I’ve learned some things that have helped me not to lose hope:
Keep Your Eyes on God Instead of on the Answer You Seek: It’s natural to fixate on getting an answer instead of on God. But praising the Lord for who He is and reminding ourselves of all Jesus did for us can bring us a peace that is not dependent upon our circumstances. Kristi McClelland reminds us, “the same God who was faithful to be with us in the past is the God who will be faithful to be with us in a future that may seem unknown.”1
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal. Isaiah 26:3-4
Maintain an Eternal Perspective: Sometimes we get so consumed with wanting an answer that we forget this world is not our permanent home. It’s helpful to take a step back and see the situation from a different perspective. We are just passing through this world on our way to our home in heaven. A good question we can ask ourselves is: “In the light of eternity, how much does this really matter?”
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Remember that God Does Things His Way, Not Ours: Our default is to focus on the outcome we hope for, but we may overlook the ways God is already at work. We need to give Him room to respond as He sees best instead of assuming He’ll answer according to the expectations we have. Often, the waiting is part of God’s refining process.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9
Focus on Gratitude: Sometimes it’s easy to forget all the things God has already done in our lives. It builds our faith and trust in Him when we acknowledge blessings we experience daily. We can even thank the Lord for how He is working behind the scenes while we wait. In all circumstances, there is something for which we can thank God.
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Pray for Strength and Confidence in God While Waiting: It’s okay to admit to God that we’re growing weary or that our confidence in Him is waning. We can ask Him to restore our strength and hope as we wait. We can also pray for Him to help us grow in trusting Him. It helps to be honest and admit when we’re struggling and need help adjusting our attitudes.
I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:13-14
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-4
Let Others Encourage Us: It’s always better to wait for something when we have company. Enlisting a trusted friend to pray and encourage us as we wait helps us to stay hopeful. It also keeps us from getting bitter or disillusioned if the answer is taking longer than we’d like.
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:23-25
See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end. Hebrews 3:12-14
You’ll grow in patience, character, and hope as you pray expectantly. There can even be joy in the waiting if you’re open to seeing it. God has great things in store, there is no doubt about that. And if you know someone who’s weary in the waiting, encourage them with this post today.
Need some hope while you’re praying persistently? Let Steven Curtis Chapman’s song “Don’t Lose Heart” encourage you today. Click here to listen.
1. Kristi McClelland, Jesus and Women in the First Century and Now, Lifeway Press, 2019, 96.
Was this forwarded to you? Click here to submit your e-mail and subscribe. You’ll receive future posts automatically in your inbox.