Thoughts for the Day

Jesus said, 'Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.

‘I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures, but will tell you plainly of the Father. On that day you will ask in my name. I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and am going to the Father.’

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

I like to read old 'cosy mysteries', although I can rarely solve the crime. I'm always struck how difficult it is for the detective to get help. They have to find a telephone box, or cycle somewhere to get help. There are policemen with no cars, who walk or cycles miles to catch the 'baddies' and save the 'goodies' from some calamity. It's all so difficult. Today we can simply ring them or send a text message, or watch their movement in real time.

However, having said this, sometimes it feels as though phones have become our enemy! We make an important phone call and have to listen to innumerable messages and press innumerable numbers and when we do get through the number is engaged. The 8 o-clock scramble to get hold of a Doctor is the classic example, but it happens with most big businesses. Quite frankly it's enough to make one want to scream, never use the phone again, and hibernate from the modern world!

Thank goodness it's not like that with God. When we use those words "through Jesus Christ, our Lord" at the end of our prayer, God will answer our requests because He loves us. Note, I said "answer", not "do exactly what we want!" We have an immediate direct line to God, with no engaged signal, no "Try again later", and no need to leave a message with someone else that may not get passed on!

Heavenly Father,
Jesus taught us that You love us,
and that when we ask in His name
You will answer our prayer.
May we turn to You
as a child to their parent,
confident that in Your wisdom
You will answer as is best for us,
and those for whom we pray.
Amen.