Stretch Your Desire, Pray

~~~Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time ~~~

~~Exodus 17:8-13~~Psalm 121~~2 Timothy 3:14-4:2~~Luke 18:1-8~~  

 

Moses had his arms held up so that Joshua could

continue to victorious in his battle.

 

We too are in need of assistance as we are

continuously confronted with the forces of evil.

 

Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

 

Every day I get prayer requests in my inbox.

People know the power prayer has in their lives.

They consider themselves among the believers.
They request assistance with their prayer...
our prayers help hold up their arms to continue their effort.

 

Saint Augustine says, "We pray to stretch our desire for God."

 

God always answers prayers

even if it is to teach us to gracefully accept

or carry our crosses in life.

Paul encourages Timothy to be steadfast in what he knows to be true.

It is the sacred scriptures that give us the wisdom we need.

In times of trials and tribulations it is through

 the inspired words of scripture

 that we can find strength, comfort, guidance.

 

All Scripture is inspired by God....

...so that one who belongs to God may be competent,
equipped for every good work.
 

The scriptures are God's way of communicating with us.

When we pray with scripture verses

we are using God's own inspired words.

We are talking to God in his language so to speak.

 

If you have ever been to a foreign country

you can appreciate knowing the language of the local people.
Speaking the same language makes communication much easier. 

 

 

Even though Moses became physically tired
 his determination to keep his word never waivered.
He was old and needed help but he kept his arms raised up to God.

Sometimes in our prayer life we become discouraged.
We begin to ask is praying really worth the effort.
We think God may be tired of listening to us.

Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones
who call out to him day and night?  

 

Paul tells Timothy to be persistent whether it is
 convenient or inconvenient.
Paul also encourages us to pray always.
Every breath we take can be a prayer if we make the intention.

We are blessed because no matter what language or the manner
 in which we pray God hears and he understands. 

 God does not need the Google translator app.
God only needs to hear our desire to speak to him.

Blessing in believing God listens to our prayers.