Today Jesus tells a parable urging perseverance. The parable features a totally corrupt judge, who fears neither God nor man. It also features a widow, probably the most powerless, the most pitiful and least pitied of people in the society of those days. As far as a corrupt judge is concerned, she can be ignored. She has neither power nor money (for bribing). But this widow is different. She is persistent and will not give up. Eventually, the judge, for his sheer peace of mind, settles in her favour. If, Jesus concludes, a corrupt and ruthless judge can be moved by a helpless widow, what kind of response can we expect when we, the people for whom he died, call out in our helplessness to our loving and compassionate God? It is easy to pray when things are going well. It is often in times of pressure that we can give up praying when we need it most, when our faith is really being put to the test. We have to pray constantly and consistently. But then, if God is such a caring person, why should we have to pray to him at all? We need to keep praying, not for his sake but for our own. By doing so, we maintain an awareness that "by ourselves we can do nothing."