Persistence in Prayer: Homily for week 17, cycle C, July 27, 2019

For most people in our American culture, prayer may come to mind only when we’re in need of something.  When people do pray, it may only be as a last resort. With the advancements in science, technology, and medicine we’ve become accustomed to relying on our own human efforts to take care of all our needs. There’s very little credit given to God in all the modern wonders we have today. When prayer is called upon, it may be disappointing when the request of the prayer doesn’t seem to be answered by God.  So what’s the use in praying anyway?

Prayer is the common theme of today’s readings.  There are three main points on prayer that are recurrent in the readings.   First, that prayer is a relationship with God, second is the necessity to be persistent in prayer, and third to ask for help when you need it.

Prayer is much more than just making a wish when you need something and having it granted.  God isn’t a genie in the bottle. God is the loving creator of the universe, whom we rely on for everything.  He made us in his image and wants each of us to thrive.  He gave us the freedom to know, love, and serve him.  In order to know how we can know, love, and serve God, a good relationship is needed.   Good communication on a frequent basis, especially listening, is necessary for a relationship to thrive.  This relationship requires work on our part.  God is just waiting for us to be in relation with him.  Prayer opens us up and those we pray for to God’s graces. 

In the first reading Abraham provides a good example of how to be in relationship with God.  He engages in a dialogue with God on behalf of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah, requesting God’s mercy.   The people were in great sin, and Abraham was appealing on behalf of the faithful few, that God would be merciful.  Abraham appeals for God’s mercy six times.  Each time god responds Abraham presses for him to be more merciful. I bet there are a few parents out there, who may have had a similar conversation with their own children negotiating for more lenient punishment for their misgivings.

In the Gospel, Jesus, return’s from praying himself and his disciples ask him how to pray.  Jesus then teaches them a most familiar prayer, the Our Father.  We pray this ourselves so much, that we may not think about what the words really mean. Jesus first instructs to call God “Father”, setting the tone of a close family relationship.  In Middle Eastern culture of the times, family was of primary importance. God is not far and distant.  Some of us may not have had a good relationship with our own father.  If so, think about someone who is a close family member or friend who really cares for you. That’s what Jesus is trying to get across.

Jesus instructs them to start off giving praise and reverence, in praying “hallowed be thy name”.  This is not because God needs it, but to acknowledge our own reliance and gratitude to God.  By praying, “thy kingdom come”, we welcome God’s action and presence in our world.  After acknowledge the Father, we turn to our own needs and God’s mercy on us. In asking “give us each our daily bread”, he’s encouraging us to recognize our dependence on God for everything, not only when we think it’s needed.  In praying, “forgive us our sins” and “do no subject us to the final test”, we are reminded of our continual need for God’s mercy and protection from our own inclination to sin.  We’re also called to be merciful to other’s as God has been to us, by “forgiving everyone in debt to us”.

Persistence in prayer is another focus of the readings.  Abraham asks for God’s mercy on Sodom and Gomorrah six times.   Jesus teaches us to pray for our daily bread.  He also gives the example of the friend who comes in the night asking for bread.   Prayer is something we need to persist in, and not do only when a need arises. Consistent continual prayer keeps the communication with God open to help with our needs. I read Fr. John Hallowell’s twitter post this morning illustrating persistence in prayer.  He shared his daily prayer routine includes three prayers, the Angelus, to St. Michael, to St. Peregrine for those with cancer.  He noted only one person has died from cancer on his prayer list and there had some amazing miracles had happened.

Finally, we need to ask God for our help in prayer. If we don’t ask God for help, how is he going to do so?  Of course God knows all, but he’s waiting for us to ask.  We’re told to ask, seek, and knock.  In our culture we are so reliant on ourselves and the advancements in science and technology. We have become too reliant on ourselves and leave God out of the picture.    In our Catholic tradition a both/and approach may be a more appropriate response.  Sometimes I’m amazed when I hear of people having a major surgery and illness and not requesting to receive God’s graces through anointing of the sick. What could it hurt to ask for God’s help directly or through the intercession of the Saints for our needs as soon as an issue arises.

Last, I’d like to address when it seems that God is not answering our prayers.  Jesus gives us the example of what father among you would give his son a scorpion when he asks for an egg. God always answers our prayers, but it may not be how we expected.   Many times an answer to a prayer may be through other people we encounter, our family, friends, co-workers.  We need to rely on the Holy Spirit to help us understand how God answers our prayer. The answer to some prayers, may be a change in us.   Yesterday, I was preaching at the Johnson County jail when prayers seem to be unanswered and seeking to understand.  One of the inmates spoke up about his own prayer to keep from going to jail, but he later realized that being in jail kept him away from the drugs and the people he was associating with.  He admitted that God did answer his prayers, but not in the way he was originally asking.

So be persistent in your prayers daily to be in good relationship with God; asking, seeking, and knocking on his door for his love and support. Pray the Our Father to praise him and offer him gratitude for all the gifts he’s given you.   Seek to receive the daily bread, especially in the Eucharist, to provide the grace to help with the trials of life.