Communicating with God

Luke 18:1-8

A stereotypical behavior we see portrayed on television comedies is of a teenager locking themselves in their room and spending time talking to their friends on a cell phone rather than talking with their family. As time passes, they begin to feel alienated from the family and grow quite rebellious. As they become more self centered, their demands begin to look ridiculous to the parents, who are increasingly apt to refuse. They never realize it is their refusal to communicate that is causing the problem, not a lack of love by their parents. Youth programs, school activities, peer pressure and social standards all contribute to make the problem worse.

A lot of Christians relationship with God is very much like that of the spoiled teenager with their parents. The only time they stop to pray is to demand something. This is aggravated by lessons like the one from Child Evangelism Fellowship that declared, “Prayer is asking.” If the only time we talk to God is when we want something, our relationship to him will be as unsatisfactory as that of the selfish teen to his parents.

The teenager who gets to know his parents as people, rather than just as a source of income begins to appreciate that they also have needs and goals. As he tries to adjust his demands to their needs, the sense of alienation disappears. His demands become less outlandish, and easier for his parents to understand so they are more willing to give. The relationship grows stronger as they communicate more effectively.

Prayer is communicating with God. The most meaningful communication between a child and parent or husband and wife comes as a result of discussing everyday things in an informal friendly manner, one on one. The most effective prayer comes from informally talking privately to God about our everyday concerns and his. Doing so helps us to understand and accept his will, and believe it is for our good, and he tells us. Failure to do so leaves us feeling he is just arbitrary in his response. Jesus stresses the importance of consistent communication in his next parable.

“And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.” (Luke 18:1-3)

The judge has no concern for anyone. He is only concerned about himself and his own convenience. No one else matters to him. When the widow came to him for help, he refused because he saw no benefit to himself.

“And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.” (Luke 18:4-5)

Though he had no interest in the woman or her problem, the selfish Judge decided to accede to her request to prevent her from nagging him. He doesn’t do it because it is right, but only to keep the peace. Unlike the selfish judge, God cares about us, and about what is right. There is no need to nag him about things.

“And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:6-8)

Growing up, I learned that if Dad promised us something, he would get it as soon as he could. Living fifty miles from town, that might be several days wait. I also learned that if I bugged him about it in the interim, he was hurt because I didn’t trust him. Loving my dad, I didn’t want to hurt his feelings. Like my Dad, God will keep his promises at the earliest possible date. Repeatedly asking for the same thing implies we do not trust him to keep his promise.

I learned to trust Dad by talking with him about everything that happened, and seeing how he dealt with different situations. Had I shut myself up in my room and not developed that relationship, I would not have learned. Jesus asked, “…when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” I believe he is literally asking will people have so neglected their relationship with him that they can’t trust him to do anything. Sadly, there are few who truly do in our day. Are we really praying in faith, or are we trying to force him to act by nagging him because we don’t trust him?