Theme: Luke 18:1-8 Jesus urges his disciples to pray and not lose heart

From the desk of Ms. Kathleen Cook, Director of Religious Education
Theme: Luke 18:1-8 Jesus urges his disciples to pray and not lose heart, for God hears and answers prayers.
Summary: Jesus speaks of a woman who is persistent in seeking a judgment from a judge who has kept putting off making a judgment on the woman’s behalf. The woman remains constant in her pursuit and eventually the judge relents and provides a judgment. The judge renders a judgment, not because he is just, but because he has been worn down by the woman and fears that if he doesn’t respond the woman might do him harm. Jesus takes this opportunity to speak to the importance of remaining persistent in our prayer. Most especially, Jesus encourages us to remain faithful to our pursuit of justice. Fidelity to living a life rooted in justice is essential to living as a follower of Jesus Christ.
Scripture:  Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. Luke 18:1
 
One day Jesus told a story about a woman who went to a judge and said, "My rights are being violated. Protect me!" At first, the judge refused to do anything, but the woman kept asking him. Finally, he said, "This woman is driving me crazy. I'm going to see that she gets justice because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!"
After Jesus finished the story, he said, "Learn a lesson from the judge. Even he gave a fair decision in the end. So don't you think that God will step in and help his children when they keep on crying out for help? Won't he stick up for them? I assure you, he will".
What Jesus wants us to learn from this story that he told is that God, our Heavenly Father, loves us and wants to do nice things for us. He wants what is best for us and he has the wisdom to know what is best. But don't forget, he likes to hear us ask, not just once, but again and again. He doesn't want us to ask once and then give up!
Father, we know that you hear us when we pray and you answer in the way that is best for us. Help us to trust in you and never give up. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
 
Making the Connection (Grades 1, 2, and 3): Younger children, who need consistency to thrive, may be comforted to know that God always hears and answers our prayers. Support children in building a rich prayer life by teaching them that God invites us to be in close relationship with him through prayer. 
 
Making the Connection (Grades 4, 5, and 6): Children of this age are beginning to show the capacity to offer sustained attention to a project. We can help foster this development by encouraging young people to stick with something even when it is difficult. Persistence is a trait that serves well the life of faith.
 
Making the Connection (Grades 7 and 8): Young people at this age are beginning to reject childhood notions of God and prayer while at the same time embracing their faith roots, religious heritage, and religious tradition, especially during times of change in their lives. This Sunday's Gospel offers an opportunity to present a more mature understanding of prayer.
 
My Promise to Jesus: I know that God hears me. I will ask God for what I need and wait patiently for his reply.
 
Reflect: If a word or phrase from the Gospel captures your heart, sit quietly for several minutes, repeating it to yourself and asking God to show you how it applies to your life. What insights about prayer does this reflection offer you?
 
Suggested book that compliments today’s Gospel:
http://scu.edu/character/build-plant-grow/
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel
Written by Virginia Lee Burton
ISBN: 978-0-395-45536-8
 
Pray that you will work through challenging times by always praying to God and asking for God’s assistance when change comes your way. Pray also that you will be strong in your faith and your commitment to living a just and peaceful life.
Family Discussion: Children nag because it works. Parents, like the judge in the parable, often get worn down by the persistence of their children asking for things large and small. Nagging is not a positive trait, to be sure. The confidence and the persistence behind this behavior, however, confidence in the goodness of the giver and the tenacity to stay in the relationship, are traits worth emulating in our relationship with God.
Read together Luke 18:1-8. Talk about appropriate ways to make needs and desires known to one another and to God in prayer. Recall that God wants to answer our prayers. As a family, offer your needs as prayers of petition to God.