The Need for Prayer

The Need for Prayer
Pentecost 19; Luke 181-14
I’ve got a problem with prayer
and it’s not just my discomfort
with Jesus’ teaching story.
I don’t think the God I know
is anything like the unjust judge
worn down by determined nagging.
Do we think that incessant praying
will prompt God to enforce justice?

I get Jesus’ point about the need
to pray always and not lose heart.
I admit that my prayer is uncertain, 
sporadic, no longer by the book.
I don’t think God needs reminding
of what God already painfully knows
nor can we tell God what to do.

I do see the point of lament,
crying out to God day and night
and knowing that we are heard.
I believe that God does save,
sharing the pain of oppression
even of an unjust execution.

So how do I think that prayer works
beyond being heard and understood
and knowing we are not alone?
I do believe prayer has power
that activates spiritual networks
that no technowhiz can hack
or technocrat exploit for gain.
How that power ebbs and flows
or how it affects our lives
is sacred mystery to me.

I believe that prayer softens hearts
so that God within can be heard
saying: “This I require of you –
to do justice, to love kindness,
to walk humbly with your God.
If people had that law in their hearts,
then justice and mercy would prevail
and no-one would exalt themselves
and disrespect the humble and poor.

I heard a woman bishop who prayed
for justice and mercy to be given
to those who are crying in their need
and she was mocked and threatened
by the leader her prayer might have changed.
Yet I’m sure there were those who were moved
to add their voices to her prayer
and those crying out took heart,
assured that they were not alone,
for God and the godly are with them,
sharing their yearning for justice
and doing what they can to bring change.
	Barbara Messner 16/10/2025