The Work of Justice

Luke 18:1-8  

Jewish law was permeated with protection of rights and justice for disadvantaged people. Social responsibility was woven into the fabric of the law, Exodus 22. The underprivileged to whom the poor man’s tithe was to be given, included the orphan and the widow. Deuteronomy26:12

Jesus used the persistent widow petitioning a corrupt Gentile judge to avenge her cause, to teach the persistence of prayer and faithfulness. Would we be “dressed and ready” for His return? This parable followed His earlier warnings in Luke 17, (that He hopes to find us expectantly faithful like that of the widow in Luke 18.)

Persistent solitary prayer seems an unaffordable luxury in our “fingertip access/constant connection world.” We are distracted drivers, unable to focus on work and often emotionally unavailable to others. When we come together in corporate community-based prayer, for a time we lay aside the demands and interruptions of our lives. We become powerful chains and channels of prayer!

The prayer of righteous people is powerful and effective; James 5:16. Righteous people are simply forgiven sinners, not saints. Our prayer is persistently powerful in proportion to our desire and passion for justice, for connection with others and with our true Source. “But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!" Amos 5:24

“I do not believe there is such a thing in the history of God’s kingdom as a right prayer, offered in a right spirit that is forever left unanswered.”

Theodore Cuyler, 1822-1909 (Presbyterian minister and writer)