Pope urges perseverance in prayer

May 25, 2016

Continuing his series of Wednesday catecheses on mercy, Pope Francis devoted his May 25 general audience to the parable of the unjust judge and the widow (Lk. 18:1-8).

“In telling us that even an unscrupulous judge will finally render justice to a poor woman because of her persistence, Jesus encourages us to persevere in prayer to our heavenly Father, who is infinitely just and loving,” Pope Francis told the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square, according to the official English-language synthesis of his remarks. “He also assures us that God will not only hear our prayers, but will not delay in answering them.”

“The Gospels tell us that Jesus himself prayed constantly,” Pope Francis continued. “His own intense prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane is a model for our own: it teaches us to present our petitions with complete trust in Father’s gracious will.”

The Pope added:

The parable of the unjust judge and the widow ends with a pointed question: “When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” Perseverance in prayer keeps our faith alive and strong. For in that prayer, we experience the compassion of God who, like a Father filled with love and mercy, is ever ready to come to the aid of his children.

 

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Further information:

• Pope Francis General Audience 2016.05.25 (YouTube Vatican)
• L’Udienza Generale (Holy See Press Office)