One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.

In baseball, even the best players don’t hit the ball every time they swing. Sometimes they miss it completely—again and again. But no talented player throws away the bat just because he keeps missing. He knows that if he stops swinging, he’ll never get a hit, let alone a home run. So, he keeps swinging; he keeps showing up to practice. The same is true about prayer.

Many people give up praying because it feels like nothing is happening. They quietly put their “bat” down and walk off the field, disappointed, discouraged, and defeated.

But the Bible urges us—don’t stop praying. Keep swinging.

In Luke 18:1, our verse for today, Jesus is about to tell His disciples a story with a very clear purpose. The story is about a widow who kept pleading with an unjust judge for justice. Though the judge didn’t care about people or God, he gave in to her request simply because she kept coming back.

God wants us to develop perseverance in prayer. Sometimes the delay is not denial—it’s a part of the process that builds our faith and deepens our dependence on Him.

There’s a powerful picture in the Old Testament that shows the importance of persistent prayer. In Exodus 17, Israel is in battle against the Amalekites. Moses climbs a hill and lifts his hands to God in prayer. Moses grew tired, as anyone would. But Aaron and Hur stood beside him and helped hold his hands up—and Israel saw victory that day.

When we stop praying, the “battle” begins to turn. When we grow tired and give up, we lose ground. But when we persist in prayer, we invite heaven’s power into the situation. Prayer is not a side activity; it is the front line of every spiritual battle. Sometimes, it is important to share your burden with people you trust, so that they can help hold your arms up.

Brothers and sisters, if you’re praying for your child, your spouse, your finances, your beloved family members, your health, or a breakthrough, don’t stop because you haven’t seen results yet.

Keep swinging, the home run will come. Maybe you’ve prayed for years with no visible change. Keep swinging. Maybe your heart is tired, and your faith feels weak. That’s okay—just lift your hands again. Ask a friend to “stand with you” like Aaron and Hur. God is not deaf to your cries. He is not ignoring you. He is working—even when you don’t see it.

“The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results,” (James 5:16).

So, pick up your “bat” again today. Pray with faith. Pray with persistence. Don’t let the silence fool you—heaven is listening. Keep swinging.

By Santosh Chandran, Bible League International staff, New Zealand