Prayer has potential to change us — if only we would ask

Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor.

A reflection on the daily readings, for Thursday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time, by Father Perry.

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor

“Then you will again see the distinction between the just and the wicked.”

That is what these last verses from the Book of Malachi are all about.

It is almost embarrassing, at times, to listen to how people seem to have spoken about or to God in the Old Testament scriptures.

Where were the limits? Where were some standards of good or even just decent behavior?

Did they have no shame? And the way the scriptures depict God listening to his people — paying total attention to their words, their actions, their thoughts, their conversations, their attitudes.

There was no doubt that God could read their hearts and let them know exactly where they stood with him!

+ Jesus, too, made some things very clear for his disciples.

He, too, made it clear that God, his Father, listened to their every word.

God, his Father, wanted his disciples to trust; and to ask, seek, and to open.

It is a rather curious thing that Jesus says to the disciples as he continues his words about prayer and how to pray.

Why do we need to ask God over and over, and remind him or convince him of what we need — or at least what we want?

Does God need to be reminded? Does God need for us to ask?

Is this about God, or about us?

What does asking and seeking and knocking do? Does it do something to God, or something to us?

And in the end, how curious that Jesus says that the Father will, “give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”

Is that what we should be asking for? Would a good portion of God’s Spirit upon us, and in us, make a difference?

Would that Spirit lead us to new truths and to new askings?

Real praying — as opposed to just saying prayers — may be part of the answer.

My suspicion is that real prayers do not change God, but have a great potential to change us.

Father Perry Dean Leiker is the 13th pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Reach him at (323) 255-6142. Email Father Perry at pleiker@stbernard-church.com.