The Father’s Waiting Ears

In the Holy Gospel appointed for tomorrow (Proper 12 C), Jesus concludes with these words:

“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!” [Luke 11:13]

Our Lord doesn’t mince words. We are evil. Our prayers often reflect this truth. Not the prayers uttered with the lips. We are too pious to say such things outwardly. But the prayers uttered from the deepest, darkest recesses of the heart. Left unrestrained, these prayers sound something like this:

Father in heaven: hallowed be my name; my kingdom come; my will be done on earth and in heaven. Give me this day the desires of my heart; and tolerate my trespasses even as I hold grudges against those who trespass against me; lead me into the juicy temptations of my flesh, and deliver me not from the evil one, his works, or his ways. For mine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

That’s why the sinful flesh needs to die daily. Why the absolution needs to be heard and believed daily. So that Christ’s life becomes your life. So that Christ’s prayer becomes your prayer. You know the prayer: the Lord’s Prayer! The prayer He places onto your lips, that you might place it into the Father’s waiting ears. The prayer your Father hears every time. The prayer your Father answers every time.

In return, He gives you what you truly need. His name. His kingdom. His will. Daily bread. Forgiveness. Protection. Deliverance. All because He is your Father and you are His child. And isn’t that exactly what evil hearts need to hear?