¹⁷ pray continually,^(A)

⁷ And when you pray, do not keep on babbling^(A) like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.^(B)

The Parable of the Persistent Widow

18 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.^(A)

¹² Be joyful in hope,^(A) patient in affliction,^(B) faithful in prayer.^(C)

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit^(A) on all occasions^(B) with all kinds of prayers and requests.^(C) With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying^(D) for all the Lord’s people.