羅斯頓的女兒涵娜因腦出血而昏迷不醒，他們全家人不斷向上帝禱告。在長達幾個月的等待中，他們彼此緊緊相依，也緊緊倚靠上帝。在這場磨難中，他們的信心猶如從沉睡中甦醒一般，正如羅斯頓回憶說：「我從未感覺與上帝如此親近，我們在禱告中，心靈甦醒，信心被更新。我們堅持不懈地禱告，就像路加福音18章耶穌在比喻中所說的那位寡婦一樣。」

這個比喻是描述一位寡婦不斷哀求城裡的法官為她申冤，耶穌藉此教導門徒要「常常禱告，不可灰心」（1節）。那位寡婦一再向法官申訴，最終法官因不堪其擾而為她申冤。耶穌將這位冷漠的法官與上帝作對比，說：「上帝的選民晝夜呼籲祂，祂⋯⋯豈不終久給他們申冤嗎？」（7節）

在比喻中，那位不公義的法官最終為寡婦申冤，這激勵羅斯頓全家人為涵娜禱告，向真正公義且慈愛的上帝祈求安慰和幫助。他們發現自己與上帝越親近，並說：「當我們尋求上帝……我們才明白原來那真正從沉睡中甦醒的是我們。」好幾個月之後，涵娜從昏迷中甦醒，身體逐漸康復。

當我們親近上帝時，祂會垂聽我們的呼求，並會按祂的恩典作出回應。祂邀請我們晝夜向祂呼求。

When Royston’s daughter Hannah suffered a brain bleed that resulted in a coma, he and his family repeatedly turned to God in prayer. Over months of waiting, they clung to each other—and to God. The family’s faith awakened, as Royston reflected: “Never has God felt closer.” Throughout the ordeal, they were given “a renewal of faith to persist in prayer” like the “widow of Luke 18.”

Royston referred to Jesus’ story about a widow who continually sought justice from the town’s official, which He gave to illustrate “that they should always pray and not give up” (Luke 18:1). This woman appealed repeatedly to the judge, who in weariness finally relented. Jesus contrasted that uncaring judge with God, saying, “Will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night?” (v. 7).

Although Christ’s story addresses an unjust judge, the family members felt spurred on by it to pray for Hannah, asking the truly just and loving God for relief and help. They found themselves being drawn ever closer to Him: “As we seek God . . . it’s almost as if we’re the ones really waking up from our slumber.” After many months, Hannah woke from the coma and is slowly recovering.

When we draw close to God, He hears our requests and answers according to His grace. He invites us to cry out to Him day or night.