Prayer is a significant part of a Christian response to the world (Luke 11.1-13)
Introduction
The Gospel passage provides a template for prayer, and teaching about persistence in prayer. In the face of suffering in situations which we do not totally understand, and to which we do not know the answer, persevering in prayer plays a part in making the kingdom come, through the way in which the person praying aligns themselves with God’s purposes.
Context
The aftermath of the failed coup in Turkey.
The Labour party leadership contest.
The killings in Baton Rouge.
Reflection
The disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray. This is a request that is still frequently felt, if not always voiced. Faced by: issues we struggle to understand; not always knowing what the right outcome should be; facing the risk of asking God to take our side in a contest against others – how can we pray appropriately? The template that Jesus gives (Luke 11.2-4), and the instruction to be persistent in prayer (vv.5-13) should help to shape our prayer lives.
God is a holy loving parent (v.3a), and so God hears our prayer and accepts them, whether they are stylistically and knowledgeably formed, or simply expressions of love and concern. The Baton Rouge killings reveal underlying issues about race and firearms – as we bring these things to God, God’s love is released and we align ourselves with God’s purposes.
The Labour leadership race touches on party politics, which is always a difficult issue in church. However, it is surely without doubt that all major parties are led by the best person for that time. Good government requires strong opposition. In praying for God’s kingdom to come we are praying that God will be active in the Labour Party, and will guide and strengthen its membership. (We could say similar things of the Tories and the new government.)
The failed coup in Turkey reveals complex issues around the causes of the coup and the government’s response to it. However, caught up in all this are real people, with real issues and feelings and desires. They desire the best for their country, we hope, and by praying their daily bread for them we align our prayers with theirs.
Luke’s account of the Lord’s Prayer concludes with a section on penitence (v.4). In order for Turkey to move forward as a united state, there will need to be penitence on all sides – i.e. a recognition of what they have done wrong, and a desire to make things right.
Penitence is rewarded by forgiveness, and forgiveness brings us back to the heart of the prayer and the teaching that God’s kingdom will come. In God’s kingdom there will be mercy, justice and peace.
Finally, Jesus commends persistence in prayer. All three of the news reports mentioned above may be nine-day wonders in the press. Yet all three reveal underlying issues of great concern to all Christians. This can shape the way we pray that God’s kingdom should come: by pausing on these words, whenever we say them, and by reflecting on situations where people are crying out for God’s kingdom, and remembering the individuals caught up in the situations. And indeed by praying for mercy, justice and peace throughout the world.
Prayer
These intercessions could be used after the Lord’s Prayer has been said.
In the aftermath of the attempted coup in Turkey:
your kingdom come,
your will be done.
In the labour party leadership contest:
your kingdom come,
your will be done.
In decisions about firearms in the USA:
your kingdom come,
your will be done.
Where there is hatred and racism:
your kingdom come,
your will be done.
Throughout the world:
your kingdom come,
your will be done.
Amen.
Questions
- What do you mean when you pray the words ‘your kingdom come’?
- Can our prayers make a difference to a political situation that we do not understand?
Action
Make a commitment to pray about a person or situation twice a day, every day. Set yourself times when you will do this. If it is appropriate, find a way of telling the subject of your prayers that they are in your prayers.
Young people
For many young people this will be a time of transition. They will have finished in one class or school, and after the holidays may well be starting in a new class or school, or college or university. Talk about their feelings in relation to this. What are their hopes and fears? Discuss how you, and they, might pray about these things.
Rev Stuart Wild is Superintendent minister of the Manchester Methodist Circuit.