Keep Praying

And [Jesus] said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.’” – Luke 11:5-6 (NRSVUE) 

When the disciples asked Jesus how to pray, he first gave them words—what we know as the Lord’s Prayer (Luke 11:1-4)—and then he gave them direction: be persistent in your prayers. He offered up stories to explain the mood of prayer. If you ask a friend for help, and the friend says no because it’s inconvenient, the friend will help anyway if you just keep asking. If your child asks you for something, you will give it to them, right? So keep asking God for what you need.  

Keep praying. 

My Baptist grandmother kept regular appointments to talk with God. I remember peeking at the extensive prayer list she kept in a notebook, praying for people she knew around the world. She was determinedly positive about the work her prayer would do. I wonder what she asked for herself? 

I don’t know about you, but that is something I have struggled to do. Praying for other people comes more naturally. In the story of the loaves of bread, I imagine myself as the one being roused from sleep to receive a request—not the one asking for help—and I recognize now that my impulse misunderstands the story, even though it is straightforward. God is the one who responds, whatever the time of day or night, to give us what we need.  

So. Keep praying.  

Prayer
God of Midnights, I don’t always know what I need. Hear my prayer. Hear my prayer. Hear my prayer. Amen.

About the Author
Martha Spong is a UCC pastor, a clergy coach, and editor of The Words of Her Mouth: Psalms for the Struggle, from The Pilgrim Press.