Daily Practice October 19

And he told them a parable, to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. Luke 18:1 Jesus begins this parable with a reminder that prayer is not a one-time act—it is a way of life. He knows how quickly our hearts grow weary when we don’t see immediate answers. Yet he urges us to keep praying, to refuse to become discouraged even when nothing seems to change. Prayer is not about pushing God’s arm; it’s about anchoring ourselves in his presence. To “not lose heart” means to believe that God is faithful even when life feels unfair. Perseverance in prayer shapes us into people who live with hope instead of despair. God is always moving toward us, and our prayers draw us closer to him. Let’s pray for that grace. Lord, teach us to pray without giving up. Strengthen our hearts when we feel weak. Let us find hope in trusting you. We pray this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.