Stories With a Purpose

A parable of Jesus · Part 13 of 20 · 3 min

The Widow Who Kept Asking

Jesus wanted his friends to keep praying and not give up. He told them about a widow and a judge.

A widow is a woman whose husband has died. Someone was treating her unfairly, and she needed the judge's help.

A widow respectfully speaks with a judge in an ancient room.
The widow asked for justice.

But this judge did not respect God or care about people.

The widow asked the judge to help her. She wanted justice, so that what was wrong could be made right.

The judge refused to listen. She had to come back again.

The widow returned to ask for help.
The widow returned to ask for help.

The woman kept bringing her request. Her need still mattered, even when the judge tried to ignore it.

At last, because she kept coming, the judge decided to help.

The judge finally decided to listen.
The judge finally decided to listen.

The judge listened to her request.

Jesus was not saying that God is like that uncaring judge.

If even that man finally listened, how much more can we trust our Father, who loves us!

God cares about people who are treated unfairly. We can keep talking to him, even when an answer seems slow.

Waiting can be hard. We can tell him how we feel.

While we pray, we can also do good and seek help.

If someone treats you badly, tell a trusted grown-up. If the first one does not listen, tell another. You do not have to solve it alone.

We can ask a trusted adult for help.
We can ask a trusted adult for help.

Prayer does not mean staying still when someone hurts us. We can ask God for courage and wisdom to find protection.

Jesus invited us to keep trusting. Our Father hears. His timing may surprise us, but his love never forgets us.

Jesus tells us a story, and his love stays with us.

Retelling of Luke 18:1–8.

Supporting reading: Christ's Object Lessons, chapter 14. Open the English book

Talk about it together

  • Perseverance
  • Justice
  • Prayer

A verse to remember

“men always ought to pray and not lose heart,”

Luke 18:1 · excerptNKJV

  1. What did the widow keep asking for when the judge would not listen?
  2. How do you think she felt when she had to return again?
  3. What can you do if a grown-up does not hear your need for help?

Activity · 2–5 minutes

My Circle of Help

Together, name two or three trusted grown-ups you can go to. Practice saying, “I need help; please listen.” Think of whom to ask next if the first person cannot help you.

Try it today: My need matters; I can keep seeking help and protection.

More stories with these values

Crossword

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