Gn 18:20-32
Col 2:12-14
Lk 11:1-13

Prayer

The readings for the seventeenth Sunday of ordinary time draw our attention to the need to always turn to God in prayer in all life circumstances. Prayer is the key to unlocking and entering the heart of God. Today, Christ gives us this key to success. He teaches us how to pray, as well as encourages us to pray without ceasing.

In today’s first reading, Abraham demonstrated extraordinary courage. Without fear, he approached God and boldly interceded on behalf of Lot, his  nephew. He was the go-between for Lot’s Family in Sodom and Gomorrah. Through this, he demonstrated that he was a great intercessor. Abraham teaches us that we must intercede for others in prayers. We must not underestimate the power of the prayer of intercession. 

In the second reading, Paul reminds us of our redemption in Christ. He reminds us that this was possible due to our faith in God, who raised Jesus from the dead. Therefore, it is through this same faith that we must constantly approach God in prayer. Through this same faith, we must intercede for others, especially for our world in chaos.

Luke gives more attention to Jesus’ teachings on prayer than any other Gospel writer. In today’s reading, Luke presents the core of Jesus’ teaching on prayer. It consists of Jesus teaching a prayer to his disciples, a parable on the persistent neighbor, and assurances that God hears our prayers.

In today’s gospel, one of his followers explicitly asks Christ: “Lord teach us how to pray.” Jesus teaches that his followers need to be persistent, patient, and humble. Jesus teaches them a simple version of the most famous Christian prayer, the Our Father, or the Lord’s Prayer. We pray that God’s name will be recognized as holy and that his rule over all will be established. This is followed by petitions for our needs for bread, for forgiveness, and for deliverance.

Prayer is necessary for anyone who desires a relationship with God. Prayer is the way we communicate with God. More specifically, prayer is the lifting up of our minds, hearts and spirit to God. It is important to note that prayer is a two-way communication. We have to take time to be quiet and listen for what God may be asking of us. We talk to God and God listens. God talks to us and we should listen.

In the hymn “In the Quiet” Liam Lawton tells us to be still within our lives, but what he really is saying is that we need a contemplative attitude in our daily lives. This is what Jesus does as he goes off to a “certain place” by himself to be in the quiet with God. We can grow in prayer by having a certain place, a quiet place where we go deep within and communicate honestly with our loving God.

How does prayer, especially quiet prayer, help you to deal with the situations of your life?

How do you communicate with God? Are you willing to be quiet and present to God?