Luke 18:1–17: Persistent Prayer, Humility & Childlike Faith

September 14, 2026 

The Ten Signposts of the Bible

CAMDE—400—CALY

Creation. Abraham. Moses. David. Elijah. 400. Christ. Apostles. Letters. Yet-to-Come.

Have you ever prayed and prayed and prayed about something, but there seemed to be no answer? The situation you were praying about - the illness, the relationship, the prodigal child - remained unchanged. How should a believer respond to what seems to be unanswered prayer? 

In our study of Luke’s Gospel, we have moved from the year of popularity to the year of opposition as Jesus continues on his way to Jerusalem. During this period, Luke includes an impressive collection of Jesus’ teachings. Today’s passage includes two parables. The first was meant to encourage believers “that they ought always to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1). 

Jesus’ story is about an unrighteous judge “who neither feared God nor respected man” (Luke 18:2). Under the judge’s jurisdiction was a widow “who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary’” (Luke 18:2–3). According to Old Testament instruction, this widow should have received special protection and care.^[1] God had said, “You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child. If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry…” (Ex. 22:22–23). However, this judge was full of himself. Jesus said he feared neither God nor people, so he refused to help the widow. 

The widow’s persistence eventually wore down the hardhearted judge. He gave in to her pleas, saying, “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” (Luke 18:4–5). 

Jesus used this example to remind us to trust God’s goodness and timing, and to keep praying without losing heart. He 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” (Luke 18:6–8). Then he continued with another concern: “Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” In other words, when Jesus returns, will there be faithful people calling out to him in prayer? 

Prayer is an ongoing conversation with God that shows our dependence on him. Jesus told another parable to contrast a humble, dependent prayer with a prideful, pompous one. Luke says this parable was directed to those “who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt” (Luke 18:9). 

The story is about two men who went to the temple to pray: a Pharisee and a tax collector. The Pharisee spoke to God in a self-righteous tone: “God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get” (Luke 18:11–12). Fasting and tithing were good practices, but the Pharisee used them to earn God's favor, not to show his gratitude and devotion. These acts were the basis of his spiritual standing, and he felt pretty good about it. It was as though God should be grateful to have him on the team. 

The tax collector, by contrast, came before God without any pretense. He stood far off, feeling unworthy of God’s favor. He “beat his breast” as a sign of repentance and said, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner” (Luke 18:13). 

Here’s the point Jesus drives home: “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 18:14). 

Self-righteousness is the most insidious state for the “religious”. It keeps people from God. At the root of self-righteousness is control. The self-righteous believe they can do everything necessary to gain God's favor. At the root of control is pride. Pride says that I am my own God and my own savior. In the words of the poem Invictus, “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.” 

While self-righteousness is the most dangerous state for religious people, it is the most dangerous sin for believers. It keeps us from pursuing Jesus wholeheartedly because we follow our own desires. Self-righteousness leads to an immature, self-focused faith. 

As Jesus was teaching these parables, some parents brought their children to him so that he could bless them. But the disciples thought he had more important things to do than bless the babies, so they sent the parents away. However, Jesus overturned the disciples' decision. He called the parents to him and said, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it” (Luke 18:16–17). 

No one is unimportant in God’s kingdom, not even a small child who cannot contribute. In fact, childlike faith - a trust marked by dependence and free of self-righteousness - is true saving faith and opens the way into the kingdom of God. Childlike faith is not immature or childish, because it shows humility, dependence, and expectation. Persistent prayer grows out of this same posture: a humble, dependent trust in God that keeps coming to him with expectation. Childlike faith is true faith.

Read and reflect on Luke 18:1–17: Where are you tempted to lose heart because God has not answered your prayer in the way or timeframe you expected? 

Talking to God: What would it look like for you to continue praying while trusting God's goodness and timing?

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