R.C. Sproul

in proportionate relationship to the severity of the need and the seriousness of the thing.

It's not that we just scream and yell and carry on in church on Sunday morning so that we can exhibit passion over who's going to win the football game that afternoon.

No.

Passionate prayer should be fitting serious and severe needs.

Now we see another commentary on the significance of the fervency of prayer in the parable of the unjust judge, or sometimes called the parable of the importunate widow.

You remember the story.

Jesus says there was a judge in a certain city who regarded neither God nor man.

And there was this poor woman

who had been wronged, and she came to the gate seeking justice.

But the judge had no time for her.

He was too busy.

He didn't want to be bothered with her.

But she kept knocking at his door.

She kept asking to be heard.

She persisted in her prayer until finally he couldn't stand it anymore.

And just to get her off his back, to get rid of this pest,

He heard her case and delivered her.

And what does Jesus say?

What's the point of the parable?

Jesus doesn't say, okay, just like this woman pestered this corrupt judge until she finally got what she wanted, so you have to pester the unjust judge who rules heaven and earth until you can finally get a hearing.