Proper 12

Preparation

    Please begin by reading Luke 11:1-13 in your Bible. If you do not have one at hand, we have provided that text for you at the end of this reflection.

Reflection--Tugging on God's Coat Sleeve.

        Luke’s version of “the Lord’s prayer” is a little shorter than the one most of us know best, the version in Matthew’s gospel. (Matt. 6:9-13). It is a very straightforward prayer. -- God, you are the Holy One. Make your intentions for us and the world a reality. Take care of our basic needs. Forgive us for the things that we do that separate us from you and keep reminding us we need to forgive others. Keep us on track and away from trouble. -- This short prayer is an object lesson for us: keep it simple. Forget the flowery phrases. Talk to God openly and honestly about what is really important.

    What may be startling, when we first think about it, is that Jesus goes on to challenge us to boldness in prayer. God is pictured as a loving parent and friend whom we should not only not fear to approach, but should approach with boldness and persistence! Notice what an active thing prayer is --ask, search, knock on doors! You will find God’s answer. You will find what you need. God is the very substance of love. Why then, Jesus asks, would we be afraid that God might not give us the very best?

    How much we miss just because we do not ask! As a wonderful old hymn puts it: “What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.”

    God loves you! God is listening, 24 hours of every day, for your knock at the door!

    Tug on God’s coat sleeve this week! Begin to form a pattern of active, open, expectant conversation with God. Bring to God what is on your heart. Ask God to open up new possibilities and directions for wholeness for you, for those you love, for friends, for your church, for the pain and sorrow of the world that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind while you are praying. Further, don’t give up if you don’t see answers immediately. Keep asking, searching, knocking. The Holy One will work it out.

revclay

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Luke 11:1-13

 
    [Jesus] was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples."

    He said to them, "When you pray, say:

    Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us. And do not bring us to the time of trial."

    And he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.' And he answers from within, 'Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.' I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.

    "So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

[NRSV]