I like to pray; I like to take long walks in the woods and pour out my heart to God, telling Him of my fears, my goals, my concerns, relating thoughts and observations about my kids and grandkids…telling Him just about everything I can think of.  I have not mastered the “discipline” of prayer, but I do like to spend time with my Friend. …most of the time that is.  Sometimes, though, I just want to be left alone, trying to figure things out on my own, without any demands or constraints on my time or thoughts.

My prayer life has been a journey.  Somewhere, sometime in my life, in my 20s I think, a prayer seed was planted in my heart—I know that I am not unique in that, because God desires to communicate with everyone, particularly those who belong to Him.  And every good relationship requires communication—which includes both listening and speaking.  I confess, even for quiet me, talking is much easier than listening to God.

Sometimes listening to the prayers of others takes me back in time to where, in desperation, I would plead with God over very real, intensely desperate situations.  Hopeless, really, at least in my estimation.  I was thinking about that the other day as I assessed one of those “backed in a corner” and seeing “no clear path through the jungle” circumstances.  …and I am not experiencing panic!  I’ve been in this corner (or one very much like it) before and God faithfully made a way out—many times!  The only thing different here is me.

…which brought to mind a story Jesus told:

And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.  He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man.  And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’  For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’”  And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says.  And will not God give justice to his elect who cry to him day and night?  Will he delay long over them?  I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily.  Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (Luke 18:1-8)

This is a story about a widow, not a judge; because righteousness and justice are the foundation of [God’s] throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before [Him]” (Psalm 89:14).  The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed (Psalm 103:6); and I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and will execute justice for the needy” (Psalm 140:12).

This is a story about relationship—do not give up, do not lose heart, do not turn away from prayer, from communion with our Savior just because life is difficult and situations appear impossible.  God is not unjust; rather, He is good!  We are not widows; instead, we are the elect!  Yet often, not understanding my identity in Christ or recognizing His lovingkindness, I have, out of an anguished heart, begged God for mercy just as this widow pleaded with the unjust judge.

Granted, we have an adversary who prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour,” yet we are encouraged to cast all of our anxieties on God because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).  Peter goes on to urge us to resist our enemy, “firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world” (v. 9).

Jesus concludes the story of the persistent widow with a statement that identifies the heart of prayer:  “Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”  The writer of Hebrews defines faith as “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen”; and he goes on to write, “without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him” (Hebrews 11:1, 6).

I have to ask myself when I am praying in times of desperation, do I trust the one I’m talking to?  If I don’t trust Him, why am I praying?”—is it because I have a vague hope that He is real and at this moment I don’t have a back-up plan?  Would I continue a friendship with someone I do not trust?

…and if I truly do trust Him, how will that set the tone of my prayers?

The apostle Paul says it best when he encourages, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6, 7).

A widow is alone, abandoned, and often left with no means of support—many times taken advantage of by ruthless people.  Widows are frequently considered “less than” people because the one who brought them social standing and significance is no longer by their side, once in a home and position of security, mere survival becomes the focus of their lives—the unrelenting demands of the widow in Jesus’ parable was her fight for survival!

Living (and praying) with a widow mindset is not humility; rather, saying, “Not my will but thine be done” is the essence of a humble and contrite heart—acknowledging that God will keep His promises in His way and in His timing is evidence of surrender to God’s purposes.

We can be confident that “the Lord will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage…when I thought, ‘My foot slips,’ your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up.  When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul” (Psalm 94:14-15, 18-19).  [God] delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper.  He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy.  From oppression and violence He redeems their life, and precious is their blood in his sight” (Psalm 74:12-14).  Our lives are precious to Him!  In Him, we have significance, because He formed us and we are “fearfully and wonderfully made!” …and destiny—for His eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them” (Psalm 139:14, 16).

We may experience abandonment or rejection by others; however, the passion which drove nails into Jesus’ hands—and kept them there—forms a forever bond of love and commitment to our lives, and we can rest assured that in His heart He holds “plans for welfare and not for evil, to give [us] a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).