by Helen Viereck
O God, your ears are open always to the prayers of your servants. Open our hearts and minds to you, that we may live in harmony with your will and receive the gifts of your Spirit; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (Lutheran Book of Worship, p. 26)
Do we fully realize how direct and powerful our communication is with our Father when we pray?
In this early 21st Century, we live with exciting and fantastic modes of communication. Everything is wireless and we can contact people all over the world in a matter of minutes with the internet or our cell phones. With our computers we can shop, bank, request repairs, and complain.
But there are flaws in this communication process! Doing business often means going through a menu with a recorded voice that tells us to press 1 for English or 2-9 for other options. Maybe after several buttons are pushed, we finally speak to a voice, often on the other side of the earth. The struggle to understand each other makes us feel like we have been outsourced to the Tower of Babel.
In the title prayer, we are assured that God always hears our prayers immediately, and He responds completely. Because we have asked for help, He will open our hearts and minds to know His will for our lives here on earth. And, He will give us the gifts of the Holy Spirit now! Jesus Christ told us this in His earthly ministry and the offer is eternal!
God of strength and understanding, there are things in my life that I can’t seem to handle alone. Please, help me. Take the weight off me and show me how to live my life in your care. In the name of the one who took on all our sins, Jesus Christ our Lord.
(Praying Together, July 3, 2005)