For Sunday, July 24, 2016 – Luke 11:1-13
In these soul-wrenching days, does God hear our cries? With what words shall the “created” attempt to speak to the Creator? Can we risk saying aloud our longing, our loneliness, our indifference, our pain?
Jesus’ friends have been listening, watching, noticing how he goes again and again to quiet places alone to pray. They have seen, too, the results of this practice, the unusual potency of his life, his deepening wisdom and love. What is his secret? Does he say beautiful words, uttered in holy rhythms? What is the inner posture of his heart? It is no surprise that they want to learn to pray as he prays, to have the peace and power that come from a more potent connection to the Creator.
Jesus does not brush them aside, does not tell them such a connection is for only a special few. He delights in their sincere hunger and happily shares the secret formula. Here it is: Just talk to God, he says. No need to dress up your language or your life; speak simply and personally as to a beloved parent. God is the hallowed one, not you. God knows you are made of dust. Let God be the giver, and you be the asker. God delights in hearing what you need—bread for the body as well as the soul—food and forgiveness enough for today. God’s kingdom is emerging on earth and in heaven, whether it is visible or not. Praying for God’s will, doing God’s will, helps each realm to grow. Whatever you give out, you will get back. What you persist in, you will receive.
So tell the One who loves you what you need and want. Whether you are happy or hurting, pray. When you are frightened or disgusted or have lost your way, pray. When friends desert you, when you are jolted awake at midnight by Big Need knocking at your door, remember how capable God is. Keep asking, keep searching, keep persisting. More than your righteousness or capacity to succeed, God will be persuaded by your insistent hungry heart, your admission of need. Go ahead. Say it out loud. Lean in toward God’s love. You will find that Love has been there all along, leaning in toward you.
