Prayer Roulette?

Praying I believe takes courage.  We cannot engage in it lightly.  It is because God has given us this privilege to communicate with our Creator in a meaningful and trusting way.  However, I also believe at times we might offer prayer on a whim. In other words, we view prayer as one of many options.  If what we pray for comes about - well and good.  If not, then nothing is lost.  It can be a form of prayer roulette, where we just take a chance.

As I was reading Chapter 11 in St. Mark's Gospel, I came across these words of Jesus:  "Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."  Mark 11:24.  Jesus is here saying that we can't view prayer as if we are taking a long shot - no, we must have faith.  It is a faith that what we have prayed for is already ours!

How often have you had this kind of faith in your praying? I would invite you to reflect on these words of Jesus.  I would invite you also to reflect on the confidence you have with your prayers.  We can have such confidence because these words come from the Lord of history.  Pray boldly!

When Prayer Becomes Only the First Option

This week those reading through St. Mark's Gospel have been spending time digesting the content of Chapter 9.  It's the chapter with the transfiguration - which happens to be the focus for this Sunday - but also contains the story of the father who is disappointed that the disciples of Jesus could not heal his son.  The father decides to talk to Jesus directly and the father says to Jesus: "If you are able....help us."   This must have been a last resort plea.  It's interesting though that the father believed that there was a possibility that Jesus could help.

Jesus issues a stern remark about the "faithless generation" before him.

Jesus then rebukes the unclean spirit in the boy and the boy is healed.The disciples are in a quandary here and can't figure out why they couldn't do the same thing that Jesus did.  Jesus reply to them was:  "This kind can come out only through prayer."  Mark 9:29

One wonders here about what Jesus meant by "this kind?"   The boy had an unclean spirit that had overtaken him.  Does this mean that Satan's influence in one's life can only be overcome by prayer? Whatever it is, Jesus is indicating that connection with God's power is in order.

I wonder if you have tried to correct something in your own life and maybe just through sheer will-power, but couldn't get past first base?  Prayer might be needed.  I believe that our connection with God is vital when we seek to move us toward wholeness. We simply can't go it alone.

I would invite your comments regarding Jesus' words!