INTIMATE CONVERSATIONS: THE POWER OF FRIENDSHIP IN PRAYER (Meditation on Luke 11:5-13).

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In the stillness of the night, or other moments of the day, have you ever paused to think about the relationships you treasure most in your life? One of the most profound and endearing relationships we have is that of friendship. Friends are there for each other in times of joy and sorrow, they support, comfort, and uplift. Imagine for a moment, our Almighty God inviting us into such a relationship with Him, calling us not just as servants, but as friends.

The Sacred Bond of Friendship.

In John 15:15, Jesus said to his disciples: “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master does. Instead, I call you friends, for everything I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” In one of his famous Books titled I call you friends, Timonthy Radcliffe the beauty of friendship with God by inspiring the reader through his own life and vocation as a Dominican priest. On October 3rd, Vatican News published his reflection on “Friendship” as a Synod Retreat Meditation.[1]

Coming to today’s Gospel, (Luke 11:5-13), Jesus provides us with a vivid illustration about friendship to emphasize the importance of perseverance in prayer. He paints a scenario where a friend approaches another in the dead of night, asking for bread to entertain a guest friend. Though the friend is initially reluctant, he eventually yields not due to obligation but because of the relentless persistence of the requester.

“But I tell you, even if he does not get up to give him the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of persistence (Luke 11:8)

Isn’t it incredible that Jesus chose friendship as an analogy? It was no accident. Our Savior wants us to comprehend the depth, intimacy, and openness that should characterize our relationship with the Father, especially in the context of prayer.

A lesson on Relentless Persistence in prayer:

When you feel like your prayers are unanswered, or when the weight of the world pushes down on you, and you’re tempted to give up, remember this parable. Jesus isn’t just teaching us about any form of persistence, but a persistence grounded in the trust and closeness of friendship. Would a friend turn away in our time of need? Even more so, would our heavenly Father, who loves us more deeply than any human friend could, turn His face from us?

Assurance of Divine response to our Prayers:

We often limit our prayers to fleeting moments. Yet, Christ is encouraging audacity in our petitions. He wants us to knock, to seek, to ask without ceasing, just as a dear friend might come knocking at our door, unashamed and certain of the bond they share with us.

“And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Luke 11:9).

For those who feel their prayers are mere whispers in the vast universe, or for those who’ve forgotten the rhythm of prayer, this is a gentle reminder to open your heart wider, to lean into the friendship God offers. In this divine relationship, you are not a distant acquaintance but a treasured friend.

The Precious Gift of the Holy Spirit:

And Jesus doesn’t just stop at the call to perseverance. He assures us of the reward: the gift of the Holy Spirit. When we persist in prayer, when we continuously engage with our Heavenly Friend, He bestows upon us the most precious gift, His Spirit, which comforts, guides, and empowers us. “So, if you, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him? (Luke 11:13)

As friends of God, let’s be audacious in our prayers, let’s persevere with unwavering faith, and let’s open our lives to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The door is waiting to be opened, knock with the trust of a dear friend. I end this meditation with words of Padre Pio to those who came to him with various needs: “Pray, Hope, don’t worry. Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayers.”

 

Let us Pray. 

Heavenly Father, Friend of our hearts,

We thank you for the gift of a new day.

Guide us to knock at Your door with the trust of a cherished friend.

Strengthen our spirits to seek You persistently,

And as we ask with unwavering faith,

May we receive the gift of Your Holy Spirit.

Deepen our intimacy with You,

And remind us always of the bond of friendship we share.

We make our prayers through Christ our Lord, Amen.

 

May God bless you as you welcome His words in your life today….. Amen. 🙏🙏🙏


[1] Timothy RADCLIFFE, “Synod Retreat Meditation”, in Vatican News, https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2023-10/synod-retreat-meditation-friendship.html, October 3, 2023.


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