Isaiah 65:24
Unceasing Requests
He who knows what we need before we ask Him has urged us to pray by saying: “Men ought always to pray and not to faint.”
The Lord told the story of a widow who wanted justice done to her enemy. By her unceasing requests, she persuaded an evil judge to listen to her. The judge wasn’t moved because of justice or mercy, but because he was overcome by her wearisome pleas. The story encourages us that the Lord God, who is merciful and just, pays attention to our continual prayers more than when this widow won over the indifferent, unjust, and wicked judge by her unceasing requests….
The Lord gives a similar lesson in the parable of the man who had nothing to give to a traveling friend. He tried to borrow three loaves… from another friend who was already asleep. By his very urgent and insistent requests, he succeeded in waking the friend, who gave him as many loaves as he needed. But this friend was motivated by his wish to avoid further annoyances, not by generosity. Through this story, the Lord taught that those who are asleep are compelled to give to the person who disturbs them, but those who never sleep will give with much more kindness. In fact, He even rouses us from sleep so that we can ask from Him.
Readings taken from Day by Day with the Early Church Fathers
Unceasing Requests
He who knows what we need before we ask Him has urged us to pray by saying: “Men ought always to pray and not to faint.”
The Lord told the story of a widow who wanted justice done to her enemy. By her unceasing requests, she persuaded an evil judge to listen to her. The judge wasn’t moved because of justice or mercy, but because he was overcome by her wearisome pleas. The story encourages us that the Lord God, who is merciful and just, pays attention to our continual prayers more than when this widow won over the indifferent, unjust, and wicked judge by her unceasing requests….
The Lord gives a similar lesson in the parable of the man who had nothing to give to a traveling friend. He tried to borrow three loaves… from another friend who was already asleep. By his very urgent and insistent requests, he succeeded in waking the friend, who gave him as many loaves as he needed. But this friend was motivated by his wish to avoid further annoyances, not by generosity. Through this story, the Lord taught that those who are asleep are compelled to give to the person who disturbs them, but those who never sleep will give with much more kindness. In fact, He even rouses us from sleep so that we can ask from Him.
Readings taken from Day by Day with the Early Church Fathers
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