Knock, and the door will be opened

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O Lord Hear My Prayer

The Community of Taizé

Today is Thursday the 8th of October, in the 27th week of Ordinary Time.

What is it you desire for this time of prayer today? Perhaps you have been praying for the same thing for a long time. Allow God to meet you in your desire as you enter into prayer as the Community of Taizé sings, ‘O Lord Hear My Prayer’

3:44

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke.

Luke 11:5-13

And [Jesus] said to them, ‘Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, “Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.” And he answers from within, “Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.” I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.

‘So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’

6:06

In today’s reading Jesus uses stories and imagery to speak about perseverance in prayer. Perhaps the original question was a little like ‘what’s the point?’, as his images are so clear.

Jesus’ image of the person knocking on the door in the middle of the night must have stirred memories in the listeners. Perhaps in you too? The lesson is clear: keep knocking. Do you trust God, even when the answer doesn’t meet your expectation?

Where there is need, there is persistence. Jesus speaks of how good parents keep their children from harm. Do we trust God the Father to give us what we truly need?

Notice that Jesus offers the Holy Spirit as a response to our prayer. As you listen to the passage again, reflect on how the influence of the Spirit on our hearts brings its own wisdom and understanding of what is needed.

9:40

Luke 11:5-13

And [Jesus] said to them, ‘Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, “Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.” And he answers from within, “Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.” I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.

‘So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’

11:46

‘For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.’ In a time of prayer and trust in the Lord’s words, accept this invitation to be open to the shaping of the Spirit.

14:07

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be

World without end

Amen