Luke 18:1
And He told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.
It is worth noting that the two Greek verbs used to express “to pray” and “lose heart” are both in the present tense. One sense of present tense Greek verbs is continuation. In other words, Jesus exhorts us to pray continuously, without end, regardless of time.
Yet there are at least three things that work against us as we try to pray continuously:
- The first thing that works against us is our sinful nature. Before the fall into sin in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve petitioned the Lord and then anticipated His answer with rock-solid certainty. In our sinful nature, we are inclined to doubt and even distrust God, believing He is weak, distant, or indifferent.
- The second is our experience in the world. Life is replete with instances in which we petition others for many different needs. Human beings are inconsistent, forgetful, and selfish. Despite their best intentions, even those dearest to us fail to come through when we ask for help. We apply this negative experience to the Lord. People fail, so why should God be any different?
- Third, we reckon time from our own perspective. We pray to God not only with a petition but also with a timetable. God must answer my petition my way, according to my schedule.
Luke 18: 2–3
He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’”
Recognizing the natures of the judge and the widow is central to understanding the force of the parable. The judge does not fear God. The Greek word for “fear” is also translated as “terror.” This is not the kind of fear based in love and respect that children are to have for their parents. Rather, this judge lacks the appropriate fear one should have for God, who can destroy the body and cast the soul into hell. The judge also does not respect—literally does not “turn aside”—any man. The widow petitions this judge for justice. Jesus wants His disciples to contrast the nature of the judge against the tender, faithful nature of God. We are also mindful that the widow has no real recourse of her own. Women have no legal standing in this context. We are to assume that she has no other male to plead her case or press her rights for her.
Luke 18: 4–5
“For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’”
While the judge gives justice to the widow, he, in keeping with his nature, does so to rid himself of her interminable clamoring, not out of compassion, the defense of justice, fear of God, or respect of men. He serves himself.
Luke 18:6–7
And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to His elect, who cry to Him day and night? Will He delay long over them?”
Jesus composes His questions in such a manner that we can answer them with nothing but a resounding yes. This is the nature of God. If the Lord loves us enough to redeem us through the perfect life and innocent death of His beloved Son, certainly He would not hesitate to answer our prayers. The second question alludes to the reality that God answers in His own time, perfect and loving, regardless of how impatient and frustrated we become.
Luke 18:8
“I tell you; He will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?”
In His perfect teaching method, Jesus caps the parable with a warning regarding the future. Not only will some lose heart and cease praying to the Lord, but there will also be those who have turned away from the Lord altogether by the time of His return. Persistent prayer and faith go together. God wants us to pray continually because doing so keeps us in touch with Him. There is nothing more important.
Worship Calendar
Oct. 19 Pray Always and Do Not Lose Heart Luke 18: 1-8 Rev. Eric Lee
NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
GUATEMALA MISSION TRIP 2026 March 14–22, 2026 (Tentative)
Called to Serve. Changed Forever.
You are invited to take part in a transformative short-term mission experience to Guatemala during March Break 2026. Sponsored by the Presbytery of West Toronto, this trip continues a vibrant legacy of partnership, discipleship, and mutual growth in faith.
Whether you’re youth, adult, or senior—if you’re willing to serve and be shaped, there’s a place for you on the team.
Why Guatemala?
Since 2017, POWT churches have journeyed to Guatemala to:
- ● Share God’s love with children, families, and vulnerable communities.
- ● Worship and serve alongside local churches and ministries.
- ● Learn from resilient believers with joyful, generous faith.
- ● Return home with renewed purpose and a deeper walk with Christ.
In past trips, teams have served at orphanages, schools, women’s shelters, disability care centers, and small congregations. Locations and activities for 2026 will be finalized in due course.
Who Can Join?
- ● Youth (Grade 7–12), adults, and healthy seniors
- ● Members of any church within the Presbytery of West Toronto
- ● No Spanish required—just a servant heart
“Dios te ama.” – “God loves you.”
A simple phrase that has brought smiles and tears in every place we’ve visited.
Mission Goals
- Discipleship – Grow deeper in faith through training, prayer, and devotions.
- Service – Encourage and assist local ministries and communities.
- Relationship – Build lasting connections with our Guatemalan partners.
- Education – Understand new cultures and expressions of Christian life.
“Whatever you did for one of the least of these… you did for me.” — Matthew 25:40
Mission Leadership Team
Rev. Young Cho, Rev. Julio Miranda, Rev. Eric Lee (Subject to change) Team size would be limited to a maximum of 20 participants.
Cost & Support
Each participant is asked to contribute 1/3 of the total cost, which comes to approximately $700 CAD.
The remaining cost will be covered through Presbytery grants and team-based fundraising efforts.
The payment schedule, group preparation meetings, and fundraising activities will begin after the team
is finalized and gathered in the fall season.
If you’re interested in joining but unsure about finances, we encourage you to still reach out—many have
found that God provides in surprising ways when we step forward in faith.
Reflections from Past Participants
“It was never about what we could give, but what God was doing in all of us.”
— Brenda Rodriguez
“Seeing kids learn about Jesus was a joy—and reminded me that God uses even our smallest efforts.”
— Camilo Jimenez
“The children’s joy, their songs, and generosity—these are glimpses of God’s kingdom.”
— Jason Gang
“Serving as a family was such a gift. I came to serve, but I left transformed.”
— Kya Bruneau
“I struggled with doubt—even guilt—after the trip, but I now realize love is always worth it. This mission reawakened my heart.”
— Rachael Chen
Want to Learn More or Join?
Contact your local church pastor or missions committee. Or speak with any of the leadership team listed above.
Watch our 2025 highlight video:
“Soup by Dave” Luncheon
Outreach will be hosting our fourth “Soup by Dave” luncheon on Monday, November 10th at 11:30 AM in the downstairs hall. Chef Dave Taylor will be preparing Dutch split pea soup and will demonstrate how to make it for us. Every guest will receive a copy of his recipe. We are very pleased to have “Chef Dave” share his culinary talents with us and know that he will provide us with another lively presentation. After lunch, Jan Hieminga will talk to us about his trip to Holland in May to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands. There will be a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the front foyer. Please plan to attend and invite your friends to join you. Free Will Offerings will be gratefully accepted.
Help Wanted
Graceview needs someone to undertake leading a small team of people to decorate the church for special times in our liturgical year. (Thanksgiving, Remembrance Day, Advent/Christmas, Lent/Easter etc.). Lynne Bishop will assist in letting you know where everything is kept and what has been done in the past. Please let either Kathy Twynam of Susan Chopp know if you are interested.
Thanksgiving Food Drive
Outreach is organizing a food/cash drive for the St James Food Basket to provide them with selected food products for their client families. The following items have been suggested: tuna, canned tomatoes and tomato paste, pasta (500 mg), canned beans – chickpeas, lentils, kidney beans, baked beans (NO PORK added), dried beans – lentils, chickpeas, etc. (smaller bags), canned soup – vegetable, mushroom, tomato (NO MEAT, INCLUDING CHICKEN), and canned vegetables. We will put a wheelbarrow at the front of the church beginning on Sept 28th to hold your items. If you prefer, you can make a cash donation (cash, cheque or e-transfer) which will be used to buy these items in bulk by the Food Basket. Please mark your donation for the Outreach account and include your envelope number. Let’s aim to fill the wheelbarrow to overflowing by Sunday, October 19th and share our blessings with those who are struggling to make ends meet.
Changing your PARS Donations
PARS program. – If you are on the PARS program for your church giving and you wish to update your monthly donation, this can be easily done by contacting Jackie Taylor either in person or by email at jacquelinet@sympatico.ca
Egg Cartons
A message from St. James Food Basket: Thank you for so diligently collecting egg cartons. We have once again reached storage capacity. We will let you know when we need more egg cartons.
Saint James Food Basket – Bundle Buggies:
If anyone has a bundle buggy they no longer need and would like to donate it to the Food Basket, please leave it in the cloakroom by the Food Bank bin. There are several clients in need of a functioning cart.
A Fall Devotional Update (September 23):
A new edition of These Days (October/November/December), as well as the current edition of Our Daily Bread (September/October/November) are available on the table in the church vestibule and in the devotional box on the church porch.
Coffee Sign-Up
It is that time of year again when we are looking for volunteers to serve coffe and tea after worship. The sign up sheet is on the bulletin board in the Adamson Lounge.
Oct. 19 – Glen & Gregg
Oct. 26 – Iris & Carol
Nov. 2. – Loreen & Margaret
Nov. 9 – 30 – Outreach
Dec. 7 – Iris & Carol
Thank you to all of you who have given so willingly of your time and efforts. We appreciate you!!