The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 12C), July 25, 2004
Gen. 18:20-33; Psalm 138; Col. 2:6-15; Luke 11:1-13
If we truly absorb the insights from these lessons on prayer, we will pray more and expect more. The teachings come under two headings -- our perspective on God, and his perspective on us. Let’s start with how we see God and the way we draw near:
1. Jesus gives an analogy of fathers and God which we take differently from how he intended. We, being evil fathers – parents – assume God might know how to give evil gifts just as we have done. And so we do, in fact, fear that God might give us a scorpion.
2. The consequence from this is obvious, and we know it to be so true. We have a difficult time trusting God, a most difficult time entrusting ourselves to him. We fear the scorpion, and we resist placing ourselves in his hands.
3. Therefore the conclusion our Lord gave in this parable – we don’t ask.
Fortunately God’s perspective differs and opens the way to intercession as it should be:
1. He does rule; he governs all things and has power over all things (Col. 2:14,15). Another way of saying that is, allowing for a healthy dose of mystery and limitations to our comprehension, God stands behind all that happens.
2. He also stoops. He stoops to listen to us as a tender Father. More than that, the depths of his kindness, his generosity of heart, his eagerness to protect and bless us – all these qualities have such depth that we can only glance the surface of their reality (Gen. 18:20-33).
3. He loves to pour upon us his children more than we can desire or pray for. This is how Jesus meant the analogy: “If we, with the evil in our hearts, know how to give good gifts, how much more will our father in heaven …” (Luke 11:13).
At this point we usually add the cautionary note of “if it be thy will,” but Christ covers that elsewhere. Let’s have this open invitation stand by itself. For this week, we simply hear the words of our Lord, “Ask and you will find.”
Lancelot Andrewes gave the Anglican Church profound teachings on prayer, as well as his own private prayers. Preaching on this text he declared, “Christ said, ‘If we ask the life of grace we shall obtain it, if we seek it, we shall find it, and having found the way, we shall enter into the master’s joy’.”
Look It Up
Where have we seen Jesus answering prayers with far greater love than expected?
Think About It
What concern have you kept from God, and how would you like him to resolve it? Can he? Would he?
Next Sunday
The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 13C), Aug. 1, 2004
Eccles. 1:12-14; Psalm 49 or 49:1-11; Col. 3:(5-11)12-17; Luke 12:13-21
