INTRODUCTION:
Have you ever tried to have a much-needed conversation with someone who has simply isn’t listening? Maybe they keep glancing at the T.V. or their phone. Maybe they straight out say, “I gotta go.” Such “conversations” are annoying at best and hurtful at worst. Conversations are about talking and listening, being present to one another, and even sitting in silence together.
Prayer is no different—except God is never the one saying, “I gotta go.” Usually that’s us. Prayer is about talking and listening, being present with God, and even sitting in silence together. A wonderful image for prayer is a porch swing conversation. Think of sitting with God on a porch swing as you pray. Sometimes you talk; sometimes you listen; sometimes it’s just being together that’s the heart of the conversation. This intentional time with God takes practice in a world that values efficiency and utility. Just sitting with God, swinging back and forth—what’s the value in that?! But prayer is not about value, efficiency, or utility. Prayer is about growing in our love relationship with God.
This week’s scripture is a conversation between Jesus and a woman he meets on his travels. It’s shared from The Message to maintain the sense of two people having a conversation.