Risky Behaviour
We just want it done quickly. We don’t have time to wait, or to have to spend a long time doing it – whatever it is. In our world of communication trimmed to tweets and texts, where we can skype across the world and download images in a matter of seconds, we just don’t have
We just want it done quickly. We don’t have time to wait, or to have to spend a long time doing it – whatever it is. In our world of communication trimmed to tweets and texts, where we can skype across the world and download images in a matter of seconds, we just don’t have the time.
Surely this affects our prayer, our discipleship? If I can download a movie in twenty minutes, it seems reasonable to assume that God can answer my heartfelt prayer in half that time. Why can’t a sermon address – and resolve – my concerns even more quickly, with allowance for the nifty illustration at the beginning? When we talk about change, I have it scheduled in my diary – with a reminder!
Jacob prays for God to save him. He has few tricks left in his bag and finally it seems, he turns to rely upon God. His prayer is short; once concluded, he relies upon his waning trickery in an attempt to save a portion of his household from the oncoming wrath of his brother.
Finally, he is alone and his prayer suddenly continues in a way none of us would really choose. He wrestles for hours, until the dawn breaks. The prayer is not over; Jacob’s hip is dislocated, his name is changed, he is newly blessed and he limps from that day forward. And the sun rose upon Israel.
Jacob’s prayer is almost answered and it has taken everything.
When we pray, are we prepared to wrestle it out with God in an act which requires all our strength and all our will? Are we willing to confront God with our needs and trust that God will work it out, in and with us?
The idea of praying like that all night exhausts me, let alone the act itself, and yet this most famous image of engagement with God reminds us that working out our faith in prayer, seeking God’s voice – and God’s answer – has not become any faster with the advent of new technology.
There is no prayer zip file; God does not tweet.
Jacob is answered and he is transformed. It is not simply the struggle, but the result which can be unnerving. Dare we risk praying if God’s answer changes everything, including us? Encountering God cannot leave us as we are.
What will we do if God’s blessing leaves us with a limp and a new name? When someone invites us to pray, will we keep one eye open, in case God answers us completely?