Readings: Wisdom 18:14-16, 19:6-9; Psalm 105; Luke 18:1-8
The First Reading of today reminds us of some of the wonders of God in the history of His people.
The Psalm of today encourages us to always call to mind God’s wonders, not just in the past but also at this moment, as His wonders unfold before us every day.
God’s miracles are not just a thing of the past. God continues to work miracles in our lives and in our midst all the time. What He did in the past, He is still doing today. His miracles testify to His existence, His power and His love.
Hence, He wants us to approach Him with confidence, to serve Him with faith and joy, and to trust in His love and power. He wants us to call to Him in our need, without losing heart.
This invitation to pray without losing heart is the theme of today’s Gospel. What does it mean to pray without losing heart?
The heart is the center of faith, love, hope, encouragement and joy. As such, to pray without losing heart is to pray:
A. With faith and trust that God is there, that He hears and that He cares.
B. With hope that God will definitely grant our prayers but in the best way.
C. Without getting discouraged or giving up when we don’t get an immediate response.
D. Remaining joyful even when we have not received what we hoped for.
E. Loving God still, even when He hasn’t answered or His answer is “No,” knowing full well that God is always good and worthy of love and praise, whether He grants our requests or not.
Sometimes it is so hard to pray without losing faith. The flesh is really weak and struggling, so we pray that the Holy Spirit will uphold us when we are weak and tired and when we are tempted to lose faith, to doubt God and to give up waiting.
Sermon preached by Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Baraka-Gukena Okami on November 13, 2021