Ask

Jesus said, “Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye. “Do not give what is holy to dogs; and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under foot and turn and maul you. “Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him! “In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.” Matthew 7:1-12

When folks have concerns about others, they often say they will pray for them. Yet often, they forget. And each of us, often forgets to ask the Creator for our needs, being thankful in return. We want to push through, to do it on our own, to be strong and independent. But we are not independent, and never were. We are dependent on God for every breath as well as every good gift. Let us remember we are made by a Creator who is the source of love and goodness. Let us ask freely, as a child might, so we might truly know the love that surrounds us.

Loving God, Creator of all

let us be ready to seek you

morning by morning

and as we lie down to sleep.

May prayers be on our lips

asking for the world's healing

asking for our neighbors

and asking for ourselves as well.

May our prayers be a sign 

of your love for us and promise

to be present in every breath we take. Amen.