And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The core of this verse isn't just about praying often, but about praying with persistent, unwavering faith, even when faced with delays or difficulties. Jesus is warning against the natural human tendency to "lose heart" – to give up or become discouraged – when our prayers aren't immediately answered, highlighting that true prayer is a steadfast commitment rather than a fleeting request.
And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following Jesus' teachings about his eventual return and the disciples' future, he tells a parable to emphasize the importance of persistent prayer. This teaching comes right after his discussion of the signs of the kingdom and his warning against hindering children, highlighting the need for constant communication with God through these significant events. The parable itself illustrates that consistent, unwavering prayer is essential, especially when facing difficulties or long delays in answers.
Ever feel like your prayers hit a ceiling, or that God is just too busy to listen? Jesus addresses this head-on, urging us to pray 'always.'
Jesus doesn't just tell us to pray; He tells us how to pray, at least in terms of persistence. He states plainly, 'they ought always to pray, and not to lose heart.' This isn't about praying every single second of the day, but about cultivating a persistent attitude and engaging in regular, ongoing communication with God. The original Greek word for 'faint' (enkakein) means to grow weary, discouraged, or to give up. Jesus is saying that prayer isn't a one-time transaction, but a continuous dialogue. When our prayers aren't immediately answered, it's easy to feel like giving up. But Jesus' teaching here is a powerful antidote to that discouragement, urging us to see prayer as essential and ongoing, regardless of immediate results.
Jesus uses a pretty rough character—an unjust judge—to teach us about praying. Why would God use such an example?
The parable that follows Luke 18:1 (though not included in this specific verse, it's the direct continuation) features a widow relentlessly bothering an unjust judge. This judge 'neither feared God nor regarded man.' Yet, because she was so persistent, he finally gave her justice just to get rid of her. Jesus contrasts this with God. He asks, 'And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry out to him day and night? Will he be patient with them?' The point isn't that God is like the unjust judge. Instead, Jesus highlights the contrast. If even a corrupt human will eventually act due to sheer annoyance, how much more will a perfectly just and loving God respond to His chosen people who cry out to Him? The parable teaches that our persistence in prayer isn't to change God's mind or to 'wear Him out' as if He were reluctant. Rather, it's a demonstration of our faith and a way for us to grow in our reliance on Him, especially when immediate answers aren't apparent. God to hear us, and our persistent prayers are evidence that we truly believe He is there and will act.
Ask a follow-up
Jesus asks a critical question at the end of the parable: 'when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?' Why is faith so central to praying persistently?
The core issue Jesus touches upon is faith. Losing heart in prayer is often a symptom of wavering faith. If we truly believe in God's power, His goodness, and His promises, we won't easily give up. The parable of the unjust judge serves to build up faith. It shows that consistent prayer, even when delayed, is not futile. It's rooted in the belief that God hears, God cares, and God will act, even if His timing is different from ours. Jesus' concern isn't just about the act of praying, but about the underlying condition of our hearts. Will we continue to trust Him, even when circumstances don't immediately change? Will we believe He is working behind the scenes, preparing His perfect answer? True, persistent prayer isn't just asking; it's asking with the unwavering conviction that God is sovereign, merciful, and faithful to His promises. Without this deep-seated faith, discouragement is almost inevitable.
Understand the original words
parabolē · Greek Noun
A metaphorical story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual truth, often employing imagery from everyday life to convey deeper theological concepts.
proseuchomai · Greek Verb
The act of communicating with God; an expression of faith, dependence, and relationship involving adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication.
egkakeō · Greek Verb
To become faint, weary, or discouraged; to lose heart signifies a loss of moral courage or endurance in the face of spiritual testing or delayed answers to prayer.
Jeremiah's cry for vindication against his persecutors echoes the theme of God's eventual justice for His people, encouraging perseverance in prayer even amidst suffering and opposition.
Romans 12:12This verse directly commands believers to 'be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer,' mirroring the 'always to pray and not to faint' instruction in Luke 18:1.
1 Thessalonians 5:17The simple, powerful command to 'pray without ceasing' emphasizes the continuous nature of prayer that Luke 18:1 urges, suggesting prayer should be a constant posture of the heart.
Hebrews 10:36This passage speaks of needing 'patient endurance' so that 'after you have done the will of God, you may receive what is promised,' directly linking perseverance in doing God's will (which includes prayer) with receiving His promises.
James 5:16James highlights the efficacy of a 'righteous person's prayer, which is powerful and effective,' while also pointing to Elijah's persistent prayer as an example, reinforcing the importance of not giving up.
calvinLuke 18:1-8: "And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;"
- And he spake also a parable to them, that they ought always to pray, and not to grow weary: 2. Saying, There was a judge in a city, who neither feared God, nor regarded man. 3. And there was a widow in that city, who came to him, saying, Do me justice on my adversary. 4. And he refused for some time, [322] but afterwards said within himself, Though I neither fear God, nor regard man,…
expositorsLuke 18:1: "And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;"
lete_me Luke 18:1-14 Chapter 11CONCERNING PRAYER. WHEN the Greeks called man ό ανθρωπος , or the "uplooking one," they did but crystallize in a word what is a universal fact, the religious instinct of humanity. Everywhere, and through all times, man has felt, as by a sort of intuition, that earth was no Ultima Thule, with nothing beyond but oceans of vacancy and silence, but that it lay i…
The core of this verse isn't just about praying often, but about praying with persistent, unwavering faith, even when faced with delays or difficulties. Jesus is warning against the natural human tendency to "lose heart" – to give up or become discouraged – when our prayers aren't immediately answered, highlighting that true prayer is a steadfast commitment rather than a fleeting request.
Following Jesus' teachings about his eventual return and the disciples' future, he tells a parable to emphasize the importance of persistent prayer. This teaching comes right after his discussion of the signs of the kingdom and his warning against hindering children, highlighting the need for constant communication with God through these significant events. The parable itself illustrates that consistent, unwavering prayer is essential, especially when facing difficulties or long delays in answers.
Following Jesus' teachings about his eventual return and the disciples' future, he tells a parable to emphasize the importance of persistent prayer. This teaching comes right after his discussion of the signs of the kingdom and his warning against hindering children, highlighting the need for constant communication with God through these significant events. The parable itself illustrates that consistent, unwavering prayer is essential, especially when facing difficulties or long delays in answers.
"And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart." — The core of this verse isn't just about praying often, but about praying with persistent, unwavering faith, even when faced with delays or difficulties. Jesus is warning against the natural human t…
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Last reviewed October 2026