The Persistant Widow and the Pompous Judge

This lighthearted but impactful drama is based on Jesus’ parable of the persistent widow and the unjust judge from Luke 18:1-8. It highlights the importance of persistent prayer and unwavering faith. The widow repeatedly seeks justice from a pompous and indifferent judge, who initially refuses to listen. However, through her relentless persistence, the judge finally gives in and grants her justice. The play serves as a reminder that if even an unjust judge can be swayed, how much more will a loving and righteous God answer the prayers of His people?

Run-Time: 2-3 minutes

Biblical Reference: Luke 18:1-8

Cast:

• Narrator
• Judge Pompous
• Widow
• Clerk
• Bad Man
• Guard 1
• Guard 2
• Public (optional, can be played by extras)

Sample of script:

The Persistent Widow and the Pompous Judge

Narrator:
One day, Jesus told his disciples a story to illustrate their need for constant prayer and to show them that they must never give up.
"There was a judge in a certain city," he said, "who was a godless man with great contempt for everyone. A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, appealing for justice against someone who had harmed her."

Clerk:
(All rise) [Motions for everyone to stand]

(The judge enters and seats himself.)

Clerk:
[Motions for everyone to sit] This court is in session. The honorable Judge Pompous presiding. The first case is the case of the innocent widow and the bad man who harmed her.

Widow: (coming forward, pleading)
Oh, Judge Pompous! He harmed me! You’ve got to do something about it!

Judge: (not looking up, speaking with no emotion)
No. Get out!

(Widow hides her face in tears and returns to her seat.)

Judge: (to the clerk)
Call the next case.

Clerk:
Calling the case of the innocent widow and the bad man who harmed her.

Widow: (coming forward, pleading again)
Oh, Judge Pompous! He harmed me! You’ve got to do something about it!

Judge: (still not looking up, speaking with no emotion)
No. Get out!

(Widow hides her face in tears and returns to her seat.)

Judge: (to the clerk)
Call the next case.

Clerk:
Calling the case of the innocent widow and the bad man who harmed her.

Widow: (coming forward, more determined)
Oh, Judge Pompous! He harmed me! You’ve got to do something about it!

Judge: (frustrated, still not looking up)
No. Get out!

(Widow hides her face in tears and returns to her seat.)

Narrator:
The judge ignored her for a while, but eventually, she wore him out.

Judge: (grumbling to himself)
I don’t care about God or man...

Narrator:
...he said to himself...

Judge: (sighing, exasperated)
But this woman is driving me crazy! I'm going to see that she gets justice because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!

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