If we are honest, we don’t like to pray. While there may be many reasons for this, at the base of it is we sometimes feel as though God doesn’t really care. He isn’t actually listening.

We very easily lose heart. We grow discouraged. We cease to believe that which we long for, or long to see will ever come to fruition. Our thoughts become consumed with the idea that things will always be this way. They will never actually change. We think to ourselves, God doesn’t hear me. God doesn’t care. The injustices of this world are overtaking my sight, and sucking life from my soul— We. Feel. Abandoned.

And though all of these feelings are real, and not to simply be ignored, they are met with this resounding, wondrous truism, a promise from He who cannot lie. Words we must speak over ourselves in moments of deep doubt, and mounting discouragement—God hears our cries, and acts on our behalf, so we should not lose heart.

Yes, it often seems vindication comes slowly. It often seems prayers go unanswered. It often feels as though things will never change, and we will remain stuck, or heartbroken, or unaware of which way to go. But Jesus assures us in this beautiful, short little parable, that we are not forgotten.

Parables | The Persistent Widow | Luke 18:1-8