Praying for the City

“There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man.  Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, 'Get justice for me from my adversary.'

There was a judge and there was a widow.  The judge was hard and cold.  The widow was needy and desperate.  If you read the rest of the passage you see that the widow wins out over the judge.  It was not her need or desperation that caused the judge to change his mind.  It was her persistence.  Her persistence finally caused the judge to act on her behalf.  Jesus tells us this story not to say God is hard and cold.  He tells us the story to let us know that God will not turn away from persistent prayer.  Persistent prayer is actually a demonstration that we believe God is going to work on our behalf.  (see v. 8)  Persistent prayer for your city will touch the heart of God and cause Him to work on behalf of your city. 

– Cecil Culbreth serves as the Arkansas District Secretary and Missions Director. He also leads Men’s Prayer Force in partnership with national Men’s Ministries.