Pray Always:

As the third grade class lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic school for lunch they encountered a table with a large pile of apples.  The nun had made a note that said, “Take only one, God is watching.”  Moving through the line, to the other end was a another table, with a large pile of chocolate chip cookies.  When the first child reached the cookie table the student told the rest, “Take all you want, God is watching the apples.

This is a lite hearted story to remind me, to tell you, we are living in the midst of the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ.  And when we turn to Jesus in prayer we will find the good news in every circumstance.

This week I received an E-Mail from an unknown author and in light of the weariness of this war I want to share with you..

Max Lucado a pastor and Christian author, is very popular for his many  books about the Lord.  A few weeks ago, Max was invited to have lunch at the White House (along with several other preachers) with President Bush.

At this meeting the ministers sat down to lunch and waited for President Bush to appear.  Max said he was expecting G.W. to walk into the room looking tired, serious, and depressed.  When the President came in, Max said he looked totally the opposite… he was energetic, joyful, and very focused on his talk with the ministers.

President Bush was asked how he could seem so peaceful and calm in the midst of all the tragedy.  The President’s reply was, “I’m feeling stronger now than I’ve ever been in my life. And the reason is, people in America are praying for me.  When I stay on my knees, that is when I have power.”

Let us hold fast to our faith, it is the rock Moses sat upon.  Listen to the words of Paul.  I charge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingly power:  proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.  Sit upon that rock and proclaim your faith with enthusiasm.

We are charged to encourage with patience whether convenient or inconvenient!  A charge not to be taken lightly by Christians.

Be Persistent:

In the Gospel of Luke we heard Jesus tell us about he necessity to pray always without becoming weary.  We hear of the persistent widow and the judge who neither feared God or respected any human.  A widow in Jesus time was one who had no one to care for them, they faced danger and had few resources to influence such a judge.  But this widow recognized her source of strength and courage.  She remained persistent in seeking justice.  She repeatedly went to the judge to say, Render a just decision for me against my adversary.

Eventually we know the judge delivered a just decision because he himself grew weary and began to fear she would do him harm.

Jesus tells us.  Will not God secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night.  I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done speedily.

Faith and Trust

Then Jesus concludes with a most essential question each one here must ponder.  When the son of man comes will he find faith on earth.  Faith is the rock our prayers are founded upon.

True faith will result in prayer and the Christian life becoming inseparable.  One prays unceasingly who unites prayer to good works and good works to prayer.  As individuals of this community we are called to increase in faith, prayer and good works.

Ask in Our Fathers Name — Love One Another

As this new war against terrorism continues into the foreseeable future, we are charged to be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; to pray day and night unceasingly as individuals and to come together in unity as a community to support one another in an unceasing prayer for justice, mercy and peace.  Remembering the good news.  Whatever we ask in our fathers name, he will give to us. –  This I command you – love one another.