Wear Me Down

And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” Luke 18:1-8

I am particularly susceptible to the cries of children and often easily manipulated by the most cunning of my own children when they were small. Basically, my kids knew how to get to me even if I was considered the toughest Mom in the neighborhood. I didn't let my daughters get away with much and they had to participate in the life and work of the family. But when it was clear that their hearts were really set on something, I did everything I could to provide it for them, if it was possible and within our means. My niece and nephew have the same effect on me. My family too and those friends and neighbors who have become family over the years. I would do anything I could for them.

And so it is with God, Jesus tells us. We are beloved children and God does listen to our cries and prayers, even though we might not see or feel any immediate reaction. Like a good parent, one who would do anything for a child, God bends over and listens, looking into our eyes and our hearts. How amazing, a God who loves us like a parent and listens to our needs. God who will move mountains for us and bring about the cries of our hearts.

Today, I want to practice prayer, continually and in all things. I know how much parents like to hear from their children and I realize it is too easy for me to delegate prayer to certain times and places only. I want prayer to become a conversation with my Creator parent who listens and responds more than I can even know. May we all make today a day of prayer so that God might know our hearts and in so doing bring more love to the world.