The Persistent Stream

~~~ Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time ~~~

~~ Genesis 18:20-32~~Psalm 138 ~~ 

~~~ Colossians  2:12-14 ~~~ Luke 11:1-13 ~~~

...he will get up to give him whatever he needs

because of his persistence...

The dictionary defines persistence...

the quality that allows someone to continue doing something

 or trying to do something even though it is difficult 

or opposed by other people...

the state of occurring or existing beyond the usual, 

expected, or normal time

Perhaps our experience of persistence does 

make us think of children.

When a parent is confronted with the persistence

 of a toddler one tactic is to create a distraction.

Maybe we recall the well known story 

of the hare and the tortoise when we think of persistence.

The tortoise is a prime example of the rewards of being persistent.

He wins the race...

Is your prayer life about winning the race?

When it comes to our prayer life

we, as adults, are encouraged to be persistent.

...ask and you will receive;

seek and you will find;

knock and the door will be opened to you. 

We are encouraged to keep praying 

even though it is difficult.

We are encouraged to keep praying 

even though we do not feel God is listening.

We are encouraged to keep praying

even though others tell us it is a waste of time.

Are we foolish to believe that persistence 

is useful when it comes to our selfish wants and needs?

Persistence in prayer helps us to overcome all odds

 that life appears to be against us.

Our prayer life must not be defeated

by those who tell us it does not make a difference.

Persistence in prayer must also to be supported by humility.

Persistence in prayer means to keep asking

with the knowledge that we will accept God's will.

Persistence in prayer carries us beyond

 our own shortcomings.

Persistence in prayer solidifies our faith.

Jesus gives us the words of the Our Father.

Saint Paul tells us to pray 

without ceasing.

Lord, on the day I called for help, 

you answered me.

We can only fail in our prayer life 

when we give up....when we stop having

 hope in the Lord.

When it comes to your prayer life

it is wonderful to be hard headed and persistent.

In the confrontation between the stream and the rock, 

the stream always wins; not through strength

 but through persistence.

Wise words from Buddha.

Prayer in our life must be like a stream

 quietly flowing through our souls.

Blessings of persistence in prayer.

~~~Peace~~~