Reverend Weiss’ sermon Sunday was titled “Cardio-inscription,” which reminds me of Psalm 119:11, “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” (NLT)
The parable in Luke that Reverend Weiss read as the second scripture reading (Luke 18:1-8) started out by stating the story’s purpose—our need for constant prayer and to show us to never give up. This doesn’t mean continued repetition or long prayer sessions. It means we need to constantly be in contact with God so that we’re keeping our requests/concerns before Him as we live for him day by day, believing He will answer (in his time and way).
When we persist in prayer, we grow in character, faith, and hope. The main character in the parable was a widow. Both Old and New Testaments insist that needy people, like orphans and widows, must be properly cared for. If even the godless, uncaring judge relented to the persistence of the widow, how much more will our loving, caring God respond to us?
It is important to note that the stewardship card that you have received for this year not only asks for your commitment in the usual ways of monetary and time (voluntary), but also a third way—prayer. Nathan Carbonara pointed out this difference during the Stewardship meal after the service Sunday. Thank you, Nathan, for clearly talking about our church’s monetary, volunteering, and prayer avenues. God has his way of tying everything together for us when we study his Word. Thanks be to God!
