Persistent, Patient Prayer - David Jeremiah Daily Devotional (August 28, 2025)

David Jeremiah (August 28, 2025) Daily Devotional: Persistent, Patient Prayer. 

Then [Jesus] spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart. Luke 18:1

Recommended Reading: Luke 18:1-8 - The Parable of the Persistent Widow 18 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, 2 saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. 3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ 4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’” 6 Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. 7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? 8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

If we make a request of someone—perhaps a friend or coworker—and don’t receive an answer, we wonder why. Did they forget? Does their silence mean no? Are they still considering our request? We may be afraid to ask again and so continue in a state of confusion. Sadly, we take that human experience and apply it to God in the case of unanswered prayer.

Several things are different when it comes to unanswered prayer. First, Jesus taught that God knows what we are going to pray for before we even ask (Matthew 6:8). That eliminates the possibility of God not having heard our prayers. Second, Jesus told a parable illustrating the fact that we should continue to ask and not give up (Luke 18:1-8). In the parable, a woman petitioned a judge with her request and continued to ask until she received an answer. A second parable of Jesus illustrates the similar points of boldness and persistence in prayer (Luke 11:5-8).

Third, God is good and will not withhold anything from His children according to His perfect plans. Pray and be patient while awaiting God’s answer.

The great tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer. F. B. Meyer