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How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? How long wilt thou hide thy face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? How long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?
     (Psalm 13:1-2, KJV)
 
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.
     (Romans 12:2, KJV)
 
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
     (Ephesians 3:20-21, KJV)

It becomes clear to us early in childhood that prayer is not some magical means of persuading God to grant our selfish desires. Prayers like "Please let me pass this test" merely leave us where we started - responsible for our own behavior and its consequences. Even more altruistic prayers like "Please make Grandpa better" may still be met with bitter disappointment. As adults, we may continue to feel as if God is ignoring our pleas, as did the psalmist David.

Simplistic explanations for this apparent lack of response, such as "God may say yes, no, or maybe," merely gloss over the truth we know in our hearts: Some prayers seem to go unanswered and our worst fears may come true, regardless of how sincerely and fervently we pray. And sometimes, especially in horrendous situations like the needless slaughter of innocents, the utter futility and gross injustice of the event may leave us quaking in rage toward this all-powerful God, whom we believe could have prevented it if he had wanted to.

For some of us, that realization and its associated emotions are enough to make us abandon altogether our faith in God, whom we now conclude must be nonexistent, unfeeling, or just not as omnipotent as we once thought. Otherwise, we reason, God would not have allowed the pain, tragedies, wars, and evil-doing that have been tearing out the heart of the world ever since it began (much of it, ironically, instigated at the hands of people who believed they were doing God's will). Our reasoning may be perfectly logical, but the finest logic still reaches flawed conclusions if it is based on faulty premises.

We may assume, for example, that we perceive events clearly; that we well know how to distinguish good and evil, and can easily assign events to one or the other category. But it is impossible for us to understand all the causes, to say nothing of the eventual impact, of the things that happen to us and to others. They are simply too complex and never fully known. And without that understanding, we really have no idea of what valuable seed may be quietly taking root in the midst of the anguish and destruction; sometimes unexpected blossoms bloom in broken bodies and devastated lands.

We may also assume we know what kind of intervention is needed. Often our request is for God to change our own or others' material circumstances. We pray for adequate food and housing, clean air and water, health and safety, and freedom from war and violence. Such prayers are natural and appropriate enough, since these are real needs, and we spend much of our daily lives trying to provide for them. Beneath this world of imitations, approximations, misconceptions, and disappointments, though, is the spiritual reality - a timeless, immutable whole; a world where we can find the Truth, the Light, and the Love we ultimately seek. Separating the two worlds is a veil, as thin as gossamer, and crossing it is a mystery we will never fully grasp until our dying day. But without the fire of the spirit, the material gifts alone will never satisfy.

We may further assume that it is God who should have been the one to intervene. We may believe our own power is inadequate and that we are essentially separate from him. But we in fact are one with the Lord, as are all people; we are part of his body and share in his spirit. We are the eyes that must see the needs, the mind that must strive to understand, the heart that must care, and the hands that must move the mountains. We may not be the source of love, but we can breathe it in, and thus inspired, become the agents by which God's love can be demonstrated in practical ways on earth. We can also choose not to be, and ignore the problems, or worse, contribute to them. When we were granted freedom, it was without puppet strings attached.

It is our reaction to what happens to us and to others in the world that is most crucial, not the events themselves. In prayer, we can immerse ourselves for a few sacred moments in that ever-flowing stream of love in which we live; hear whispered words of truth and kindness and beauty; and sense that perfect peace far beyond anything this world has to offer. The experience transforms us, so that when we return to our everyday lives, we have sharper insight, deeper compassion, higher goals, and greater power to be effective in our service. Yes, prayer does change things. It changes us, and through us, if we are willing and responsive, the world.

Dear Lord, each day bring us close to you in prayer, that we may grow in wisdom and strength, and thus transformed, be more effective ambassadors of your love for all people, whom you do not abandon, and never shall. Amen.

Contributed by Diane
Sunday March 4, 2007
Liturgical Year C Week 14