Persistent prayer will reveal a richer relationship with God
by Sister Madonna Swintkoske
In Sunday's reading, Jesus instructs his disciples about prayer. The lesson is one of perseverance.
Jesus gives the parable of a man coming to a neighbor in the middle of the night looking for some food to provide to an unexpected visitor. Jesus says if the man persists, then the neighbor will eventually give the man all he needs simply to get some peace.
In another example Jesus asks if a father would give his child a snake instead of a fish or a scorpion instead of an egg. He ends by saying, “If you, with all yours sins, know how to give your children good things, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”
There are a number of ways of praying persistently. One is to keep begging God to give us something we want or need. Another is to think that somehow we can manipulate God or put God under some kind of obligation by asking repeatedly. This way of praying is a subtle way of asking God to do our will.
The kind of prayer that Jesus is talking about is really something quite different. He seems to presume that what we are asking for is the gift of God’s Spirit. Whatever form our prayer takes ultimately, it must be to know God, to love God and to follow God. The more we pray for this the more likely it will become a reality in our lives. And could God refuse to hear this prayer?
originally published 7/24/2016
Thank you for this reflection. It stands the test of time! The more we pray to know, love and serve God, the more likely it will be a reality in us!