The first reading from Genesis brings back memories of my travels to Jerusalem. Bargaining in the old city can be an adventure. If a merchant thought I was a tad bit interested in his wares, he would toss out a price, expecting me to respond. I might roll my eyes and move on but if I did, the merchant would persist, baiting me with yet a lower price.
“No way!” I would reply. I might make a counter offer and he would then moan, “How can I feed my family with such a low price? Already I am offering you the lowest price in the city!” The bickering would persist until either a sale was made or this would be customer moved on empty-handed. Like any shrewd customer in the marketplace, Abraham certainly knew how to bargain. He walks and talks with God, seeking to spare the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, asking God, “Will you sweep away the innocent with the guilty? Suppose there are 50 innocent people in the city, would you wipe out the place or spare it for the sake of the 50 innocent people?” Abraham presses on. 45? 40? How about 30? Finally God tells him that for the sake of 10 innocent people, these cities would be spared. Alas, they were destroyed for Abraham couldn’t even find ten innocent people there.
The gospel also presents an image of plea-bargaining with God. Not only in the Lord’s Prayer but also in the parable that follows. Now, most of us would be fairly embarrassed to impose on a neighbor in the middle of the night but Jesus is telling us to feel free to awaken God at any time for God will answer our prayers, but first we must persistently voice them. The very word, prayer, means to implore or entreat.
Both readings make the point that like Abraham and the friend who awakens his neighbor in the middle of the night, we too can have an intimate relationship with God if we wish. As a friend and Father, God will hear us and respond.
Despite such assurances, we may be reluctant to be persistent in prayer. If we think our prayers are not being heard, we might even conclude that praying is a waste of time. If that is your inclination, then consider the image of God that comes to mind when you pray. Do you see God as an instrument to be used when needed or as a caring loving father? Do you trust that God knows what is best for you? If not, then you aren’t likely to be persistent with your prayers.
Many people see prayer only as a bargaining tool with God but such a limited use can result in a shallow relationship with God. If we are going to grow spiritually, we must persevere in prayer, spending time daily walking with God.
Have you heard of John Newton? He was a slave trader who found himself in a violent storm that endangered his slave ship. Newton was terrified so he cried out to God, “If you stop this storm, see me safely home, I promise to cease slave-trading and become your slave.” The ship survived the storm and Newton kept him promise. He became a minister and later wrote the well-known hymn, Amazing Grace. How often have you pictured yourself as someone who was once blind but now can see that God is in our midst? Sometimes it takes an experience of helplessness to awaken us to see the value of turning to God with persistent prayer.
Undoubtedly, the apostles were men of prayer, yet they asked Jesus to teach them to pray. Were you puzzled when you listened to me say the Lord’s Prayer moments ago? Luke’s version of this prayer is not what we are accustomed to saying, yet it delivers much the same message as Matthew’s longer and better-known version. God as our Father loves us unconditionally.
Notice that, “You cannot pray the Lord’s Prayer and even once say, ‘I.’ You cannot pray the Lord’s Prayer and even once say, ‘My.’ Nor can you pray the Lord’s Prayer and not pray for another; for when you ask for daily bread, you must include your brother. For others are included in each and every plea: From the beginning to the end of it, it doesn’t once say, ‘Me.’ ”
Thomas Merton once wrote, “The purpose of a fish trap is to catch fish. When the fish are caught, the trap is forgotten. The purpose of a rabbit snare is to catch rabbits. When the rabbits are caught, the snares are forgotten. The purpose of a word is to convey ideas. When the ideas are grasped, the words are forgotten. Where can I find a person who has forgotten the words? That is the person with whom I would like to talk.” Fr. Merton then added, “The purpose of a prayer is to enter into the presence of God.”
Actively spending time in the presence of God takes our relationship beyond that of mere belief to an ever-deepening intimacy that can enable us to hear God’s replies to our prayers. Just as a parent will sometimes give a child a reply contrary to what is desired, there are times when God may answer our needs in ways we least expect or are willing to accept. To be effective, prayer entails listening as well as talking. Listening to God can happen in numerous ways from meditation to pondering a scriptural passage to hearing what a friend has to say. Prayer is not just telling God what you want. It is also opening yourself to receive from God what you need. That act of opening yourself is praying rightly.
When the need arises, bargain persistently with God. If you pass up the chance to do so, you may find yourself walking away empty handed, leaving God feeling heavy hearted.