Acts 20: 17-27; Psalm 68; John 17: 1-11
Abondanza! God’s middle name! “Rain in abundance, O God, you showered down!” the psalmist cries in awe and thanksgiving. “You provided for the needy. You bear our burdens day after day. You are a God who saves.” Other gods, Roman, Greek, Canaanite were capricious, demanding, but our God saves, sets free. Paul announces that he is a slave to the Spirit who has captured his heart. Jesus shows how God has captured his heart. Jesus prays. This union with God is eternal life right now. Jesus keeps us close, and safe. Jesus asks. For the Hebrew to pray means to ask, and only that. Later centuries distinguish adoration, contrition, thanksgiving and petition. For Jesus, to pray is to ask. Then God gets to do what God loves to do: lavish an abundance on us!
Petition is not the lowest form of prayer. Jesus says, “Ask”, and he himself asks. Jesus stands before the face of God, asking. Discuss with him your hesitations to ask God and to ask those whom you love. Ask for healing from any false humility. You ask not because you deserve, but because God wants to give. So spend your prayer time asking. Please, I ask you!
You hear the cries of the poor. They sob out their terror, their misery, their rage. Listen, God, please listen. Open our ears to listen too, and to listen with you.