Prayer

 

I suspect that if I asked you how I get the emergency services there would be no one here in the Church who could not tell me how to get the Emergency services in a hurry. IT is something that comes very naturally. When we had the old style telephones where you put your finger into the phone they reckoned it was easy because it was the last digit before the dial went back to the beginning.

When there is an emergency we know exactly where to go. The Gospel today explains and tells us to pray constantly. But I wonder if we use prayer like and emergency number calling on God when we need him.

When we look at Jesus teaching on prayer. There are two things that he seems to tell us. The first only taught prayer is the Our Father. He prays that his Father’s kingdom may come here on earth but it is something that is not in the future but it is here and now growing among his Church. Jesus knows that there are those who will find it difficult to see the signs of the Kingdom and yet he tells us that we should trust in him.

 The other thing that Jesus does is an example for all of us. We are often told in the Gospels that he goes off to a quiet place to be with the Father. These two things show us something of what it means to pray constantly. To pray constantly and not to be discouraged means that we must be ready to do both these things.

 

Out of our prayer comes the work of the Kingdom. We need to be reminded that the Kingdom of God is here and now we are those who can bring the Kingdom of Justice and peace for everyone but it must come out of our silent and quiet prayer. Jesus ministry and work flowed from his prayer life by being alone with the Father and in relationship with him. This is the same with us. By praying that Your Kingdom come we gain the strength to do this work by our prayer by listening and being with God. 

So do not be disheartened listen and pray and put that prayer into action with those who come for the face of Christ through us.