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I have had people say to me. "God knows every- thing. God already knows what I want and what my needs are. In fact I have already prayed about this particular problem. Why should it be necessary to keep repeating the same request or petition?" Yes, God knows us and our needs better than we know them ourselves. But God calls us also into relationship with Him and the best way for us to heed that call to relationship is to seek to interact with God in a deliberate way. God is not someone who is distant and unapproachable. Rather, God responds to us in a way that we are able to understand. Hence, in the parable of today, Jesus is illustrating for His disciples the manner in which God desires us to interact with Him. In the parable the judge, after trying to ignore the widow for a while, eventually gives in to her appeal for justice, so that she will stop pestering him. Jesus is not implying that God will become 'worn out' with our constant pestering of Him with requests, petitions and desires. Jesus is saying that God wants to hear what we have to say. God wants us to invite Him into our lives, full of unjustices as we are. God wants us to keep pleading with Him. What we need most is the faith and perseverance to believe that God is listening and that He will indeed answer our prayers. "When I return, how many will I find who have faith and are praying?" Lord, I want to pray, I want to know You more. |
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P R A Y I N G W I T H T H E C H U R C H
| INTENTION : |
That politicians and economists may feel it their duty to attend to the welfare of all people, giving first place to the most poverty-stricken
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This prophetic year 2000 projecting into the 3rd millennium is faced with people suffering from hunger, under-development, lack of work, abandoned old people, the sick without care and those suffering from the scourge of drugs. In front of these facts we are called to review our conduct, choices, commitment in the light of the causes which have determined them. Every Christian who is a member of a state and an economic system must take on himself specific responsibilities to overcome these negative elements which greatly disturb the harmonious development of persons and peoples and are at the root of poverty and of its increase. We cannot place ourselves in a situation of passive waiting for other people's conversion. Our personal conversion is the starting point for hope for the necessary changes of direction. It is our hearts we must change. Conversion is a grace given to those who ask the Saviour for it. We turn to the Lord, with insistent prayer, and ask that we may influence the "politicians and economists to feel it their duty to attend to the welfare of all people and especially the most poverty-stricken". | |
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