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SOMETHING TO THINK AND PRAY ABOUT THIS WEEK
The Lord Comes to Those Who Prayerfully Seek Him
It is striking that widows tend to have a very positive profile in the gospels. In one of the parables that Jesus spoke, a widow keeps coming to a corrupt judge for the justice she is entitled to, until she finally gets him to take her seriously. Jesus told this parable as an encouragement to us to keep praying always and not lose heart. On another occasion, as Jesus was in the Temple in Jerusalem, he saw a widow put two copper coins, all she had to live on, into the Temple treasury. Jesus draws his disciples’ attention to her as a model of complete self-giving to God. In one of the gospels, we find a widow named Anna who never left the Temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayer.
Widows were vulnerable in the time of Jesus. If they didn’t have children, they were especially vulnerable. It may have been their very vulnerable status which led them to entrust themselves to God. If they had no one to rely on, they could depend on God. Being somewhat alone in the world, there was a space in their lives which was filled with God.
Anna was in constant prayerful communion with God. It was only fitting that she should happen to come by just when Mary and Joseph brought their child into the Temple and Simeon was announcing who this child would become. Later on, the adult Jesus would say, ‘Ask and it will be given to you; search and you will find’. Anna was someone who sought the Lord in prayer, and one day she found the one whom she sought. Having found him, she shared him with others. She spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem. We have much to learn from this widow. She reminds us that the Lord comes to those who prayerfully seek him, and she encourages us to share with others the Lord who has come to us.
Martin Hogan, The Word of God is Living and Active
We remember at this time...
The world is a scary place at the moment with so much unrest, pain, and uncertainty. Many people are living in fear physically, emotionally and spiritually. God does not live in fear but in freedom. No matter where we are living or whatever obstacles are in our lives, God is with us. He will never leave or forsake us. He will never let us go.
“For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13
God promises to comfort and help us amidst our worries. He will bring peace during the most uncertain of times. Let us pray for this peace for our world and for ourselves, and to be bearers of Your light, in a world full of darkness. Amen!
Sacred Space – Daily Prayer for 25 Years
Sacred Space began in 1999 and has offered new content every day since then. You can learn more about Sacred Space on our About page, or if you are a regular, you can share your Sacred Space Story on our Feedback page. For our 25th anniversary, we are featuring stories from people for whom Sacred Space has played a special part in their lives. Please consider sharing your Sacred Space Story.
Sacred Space Feedback