Persistence in Prayer

…always pray and not give up.”

Luke 18:1

I committed myself to the principle Jesus taught in His Parable of the Persistent Widow, to “always pray and not give up” (Luke 18:1-8). Just as she returned, again-and-again, to the unrighteous judge with her request, I continued to return to my God, my Righteous Judge. I repeatedly brought the cry of my heart to God’s throne—a cry for God to change the heart of my narcissist spouse.

Yet, closer examination of the parable reveals that the widow asks for protection and justice—a very different request from mine. When the cry of my heart pivoted from changing the heart of the narcissist to providing for my protection and rescue, God acted quickly.

Like the judge in Jesus’ parable, God heard my plea and acted. The justice I longed for and the justice God administered arrived! It showed up in the consequences of the narcissist’s actions—the loss of my social, financial, and domestic support that he took for granted.

God continues to faithfully rescue and protect me as I bring each wound to Him for His tender touch, mercy, and grace. He faithfully reigns as my righteous judge.

Father, the distorted actions of a narcissist continue to remain a mystery to me. Thank You for hearing and responding to my prayer for rescue and protection. Show me how to share these tales of Your grace with others for Your glory. I pray in the name of Your Son, Jesus, Who sits at Your righteous right hand, amen.

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