Well ok, I'll just say that I am beginning to have an issue with this lesson (Luke 11) and that today's prayer might be a bit difficult.  It's about when prayers aren't answered.  And I know (and have preached) the "standard" answers to this issue.  I know sometimes it's just not the answer I want; I know praying changes me inside; I know sometimes I'm not praying for the "right thing" (although if the only prayers that get answered are prayers for the "right thing" - well); I know sometimes you just have to keep on praying and trust; I know Jesus prayed "Thy will not mine", but there is a whole lot going on that is "not thy will" so I guess maybe that's what this prayer is really about....

 

Heavenly Father/Mother/Grandparent/Auntie/Uncle/Friend -

Jesus teaches and encourages us to

ask,

  and seek,

    and knock....

and as I look back, sometimes my prayer has been answered (1).

But just as often it seems I have gotten a stone instead of bread,

and a serpent instead of a fish,

and a dead silence instead of a voice saying "Welcome, come in." 

So today I pray for the strength and determination to keep on praying, even when it doesn't (2) make any difference. 

 

(1) or at least I have seen your hand at work in my life. 

(2) "seem to" if that makes us more comfortable