When God Tells You Not To Give Up
If you are anything like me then you have had times when you’ve felt like you’ve prayed and prayed, but nothing changes. Maybe you’re waiting for someone you love to come to faith, or hoping for a breakthrough in work or health. Sometimes, it seems like God is silent and nothing is happening.
You might wonder, “Does God really want me to keep asking? Isn’t He annoyed with me repeating the same prayer?”
The truth is, Jesus actually encourages us to be “holy stubborn” in our prayers.
He told a story, or parable, to help us understand this. In Luke 18:1, it says: “Then Jesus told His disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” Jesus wants us to know that God isn’t bothered by our constant knocking on heaven’s door. In fact, He welcomes it! Persistent prayer is not about nagging God, but about growing in faith and trusting that God hears us and cares.
This kind of prayer is bold, courageous, and unashamed. It’s the prayer that keeps coming back—not because God is forgetful, but because God loves our faith and dependence on Him.
Today’s Scripture
“Then Jesus told His disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.”
Luke 18:1, NIV
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Breaking Down the Verse
- “Always pray”
Jesus is saying we can talk to God about everything, anytime, and as often as we need to. There’s no limit on how many times we can come to Him. - “Not give up”
God is not annoyed or tired of hearing from us. Jesus encourages us to keep coming, even when it seems like nothing is happening. He doesn’t want us to quit or lose heart.
The Parable
Right after this verse, Jesus shares the story of a widow seeking justice from an uncaring judge. In Jesus’ time, widows had very little power or protection.
This woman kept coming to the judge day after day with the same request. Though the judge “neither feared God nor cared about people,” he eventually gave in—not because he was fair, but because he was tired of her persistence.
Jesus then makes His point: If even a cold-hearted judge responds to persistence, how much more will our loving Father in heaven respond when His children keep praying? Unlike the reluctant judge, God cares deeply for us and wants to answer our prayers.
Reflection: Holy Stubbornness
Some people think persistence is about trying to wear God down, but it’s really about faith.
Think about it this way: God already knows what we need, but He wants us to keep coming so our trust in Him grows stronger. As we pray again and again, our hearts become more open to God’s timing and wisdom.
Persisting in prayer doesn’t mean we doubt God; it means we believe in Him enough to keep talking to Him, even when we don’t get quick answers. It’s a stubborn faith that holds on to hope and refuses to quit.
God invites us to keep coming back, to ask and ask again, and to know that every prayer matters to Him. In this way, “holy stubbornness” draws us closer to God and shapes our hearts to trust Him more deeply.
Faith in Action: What Does Relentless Prayer Look Like?
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Affirmation
I will keep praying, and I trust God hears me every time.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for never getting tired of my prayers. Help me not to give up, even when answers seem slow. Give me faith to keep coming to You with “holy stubbornness,” trusting that You hear every word and care about every need. Strengthen my heart, increase my patience, and help me to trust Your timing. Thank You for loving me and for always listening.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
