First Reading – Genesis 18:20-32;
Second Reading – Colossians 2:12-14;
Gospel – Luke 11:1-13
One of the most powerful things I’ve come to learn in my own journey of faith is that prayer isn’t simply about words. It’s about relationship—about closeness with God. Today’s readings all circle around this central truth: we are invited into a deep, ongoing, and trusting relationship with a God who hears, who listens, and who responds.
In the Gospel, the disciples ask Jesus, “Lord, teach us to pray.” It’s a heartfelt request—not just for a set of words, but for a way to connect with God as Jesus did. And in response, Jesus gives them the “Our Father.” This isn’t just a prayer we recite by heart; it’s a pattern for how to live our entire relationship with God.
He begins with Abba, Father. That word Abba is incredibly intimate—like saying “Dad” or “Papa.” Jesus invites us to relate to God not as a distant ruler, but as a loving parent. That’s something I still try to grasp every day—that I can approach God not with fear, but with trust. We come to God in prayer as children who are seen, heard, and loved.
But Jesus doesn’t stop at just teaching the words. He teaches us to persevere in prayer. He tells a story of someone knocking on a friend’s door late at night asking for bread. At first, the friend is reluctant. But because of the man’s persistence, he eventually gets what he needs. The point is clear: keep asking, keep knocking, keep searching. God honours our persistence—not because we wear Him down, but because persistent prayer shows our faith and desire to be close to Him.
Sometimes we pray and feel like nothing is happening. I’ve had moments like that too—prayers that seemed to go unanswered, situations where I felt like I was knocking on a door that never opened. But over time, I realised that God was answering. Just not always in the way I expected. Sometimes the answer is delayed, because God is forming something deeper in us—patience, trust, surrender.
Abraham’s conversation with God in the first reading reminds us of the same thing: that our relationship with God allows for dialogue—even boldness. Abraham pleads with God for the sake of the righteous in Sodom. And God listens. That tells me something important: God welcomes our prayers, even when we come with our doubts, our questions, and our deep concerns for others.
St. Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, also urges us to remain rooted in Christ, abounding in thanksgiving. Through baptism, Paul says, we’ve died to our old selves and been raised with Christ. That transformation must be nurtured every day, especially through prayer.
I’m reminded of a simple yet beautiful story: There was a boy named Bill—troublesome, always disrupting class. His teacher struggled with him daily. One day, Bill noticed her quietly writing something. Curious, he asked, “What are you writing?” She replied, “A prayer.” He laughed and asked, “Does God know shorthand?” She smiled and said, “He knows everything—and He hears every heart.” Years later, Bill found that note again. It read: “Dear God, please touch Bill’s heart. He is capable of great good—or great harm. Help him become the person he’s meant to be.” With tears in his eyes, Bill realised—those prayers had worked. He had changed.
Today, Jesus invites us to pray like that teacher—simply, persistently, from the heart. To trust that even when we don’t see immediate results, God is already at work. Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened.” But more than that, He reminds us that what the Father longs to give us most is not just things—but Himself: The Holy Spirit.
So, let’s continue to pray. Let’s pray boldly. Let’s pray like children who know their Father’s love. And let’s never underestimate the power of a simple, faithful, persistent prayer. Amen.