Luke 18:1-7

1Then Jesus told his disciples a story. He wanted to teach them that they must go on praying always. They must not get tired.

2He said to them, ‘In a certain city, there was a judge. He was not afraid of God. He did not respect people.

3A woman lived in that same city. Her husband had died. She came to the judge many times with a problem. “Somebody is doing bad things against me. Please keep me safe from that person,” she was saying.

4For a long time, the judge would not do anything to help her. Later, he thought, “I am not afraid of God. Nor do I respect people.

5But this woman causes me trouble. If I do not do anything for her, she will continue to come to me again and again. She will make me ill. So I will help her to be safe. I will say that she is right.” ’

6Jesus then said, ‘This judge was not a good man. But you should think about what he said. He helped the woman because she caused him trouble.

7But as for God, he always helps those that he has chosen to be his children. When they continue to ask him for help, in the day and in the night, he will answer them. He will not wait.