TUESDAY OF ADVENT 1

“Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.”

MATTHEW 21:22

I have long been fascinated by the photo above.

It’s titled “Grace” and, according to Wikipedia, it was taken by a Swedish born American photographer named Eric Enstrom.

In 2002, it was established as the state photograph of Minnesota, where the photo was taken. You can click on the link above for all the other details.

I’ve commented before how photos or pictures can stir the imagination, and this one has undoubtedly inspired many people, as well as me, for over a century.

Prayer is my focus on this third day of the first week of Advent.

Twice Jesus mentions the word in two very different circumstances – in the Temple, when he overturns the tables of the money changers: “My house shall be called a house of prayer” (Matthew 21:13); and later, to his disciples, after he curses the fig tree, and it withers (see at the top).

I’ve written often about prayer because it is an important part of my life, both personally and vocationally. I couldn’t stress it enough to parishioners in the congregations I served, and to new pastors when I preached at their ordinations during my time as bishop.

If you read through the Gospel you’ll find Jesus in prayer before every important decision, before every difficult situation. 

The disciples saw the effect prayer had on Jesus, so much so that they asked him to teach them to pray. (Luke 11:1-4)

Indeed, Jesus’ life itself was a prayer.  He was at all times in communion with his Father, when he was alone in the desert tempted by the devil, before choosing his disciples, when he was at meals with his friends, and when he was doing miracles of healing.

Even in today’s reading, which takes place during his final days on earth, as he faced his suffering on the cross, he never broke with his Father.

So, this should raise the question within us:  if Jesus often prayed, how much more do we need to pray?

I am of the firm belief that spending time with God in prayer, in regular, intimate conversation, and opening ourselves to the Holy Spirit, will lead us on the way of compassion, and it will lead us to transformation, not just as individuals but as communities of faith. 

There are all kinds of resources, both in print and online, that can help us in our prayer life. I’ll prepare a list and post it sometime soon.

But for now, let me say that my go-to website is “A Morning at the Office,” the Daily Morning Prayer from The Book of Common Prayer 1979. I have it on an app on my phone, and I supplement the time spent with other reading materials.

If you’re not in the habit of daily prayer, I would strongly encourage you to give it a try.

As with any new practice, start small and build up. Of course, if you’re reading this, you are most likely already in the habit.

But before ending, let me clarify the focus verse above: “Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.”

Scripture does not guarantee God will provide you whatever you want right now. Prayer is above all, a conversation between you and God.

As far as your circumstances go, it may not change a thing, but I am convinced that eventually, as I wrote earlier, it will begin to change you.

My closing prayer today is from the Book of Common Prayer. It known as A Collect for Grace:

Let us pray:
Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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