Living On A Prayer
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For July 27, 2025:
Living On A Prayer
by Chris Keating
Luke 11:1-13
“Lord,” a disciple asks Jesus, “teach us to pray.” Luke, who seasons his gospel liberally with images of prayer, is eager to demonstrate what the church as a community formed by prayer. He offers glimpses of Jesus praying throughout the gospel, making the disciples’ earnest plea sound reasonable.
Awash in a culture of prayer, they understood its importance. As they watch Jesus move closer to Jerusalem, they take notice of how prayer shapes his life. Their question is earnest because long before Jon Bon Jovi’s iconic 1980s anthem, they are learning what it means to live on a prayer.
It remains a timely lesson for contemporary believers. Many are content to repeat trite and tired phrases such as the so-called “just” prayers: (“Lord, we just want to thank you for just being with us today and for just giving us your blessings.”) Others are simply no longer praying as much as they once did. According to a Pew Research study, the number of Americans reporting daily prayer has declined over the last 18 years. But even professing Christians could use a prayer refresher, particularly when it comes to Jesus’ petition, “May your kingdom come.”
Jesus’ words collide with comfy prayers of cultural accommodation. Those drawn to bow down to the idols of Christian nationalism forgo aligning their lives to the justice, mercy, and love God demands in favor of American exceptionalism. Nationalism continues to grow in the fertile soil of Donald Trump’s administration, as witnessed by reports of a new church plant in Washington, DC. Last week, the pastor of that new congregation stood beneath a giant American flag extolling the virtues of nationalism. This church is part of a cadre of ultra-conservative churches rooted in Christian nationalism. Among those soaking up the pastor’s words was new church member and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
It’s hard to pray for God’s kingdom while giving homage to an emperor whose agenda is strikingly opposed to God’s priorities. Luke wants the church to realize the breadth, depth, and risks associated with prayer. For Jesus, living on a prayer is much more than a song.
In the News
Like an aquifer pushing water toward the sun-parched prairie, the prayer Jesus taught springs forth with energy and possibilities. But the streaming force of its petitions may deliver more than the disciples anticipated; perhaps, even more than we expect. When many pray “thy kingdom come,” they seem to be living by an entirely different prayer.
A recently released resource from the Presbyterian Church (USA) defines Christian nationalism as a political ideology committed to merging Christian identity with American civic life and national identity. The document, “Confronting White Christian Nationalism” continues by adding that nationalism “asserts that the United States was founded as a Christian nation and should continue to be governed according to what its proponents see as Christian values or biblical principles.”
Nationalism promotes an authoritarian government that exerts control by mandating respect for national symbols and traditions and by inciting fear against those who hold diverse opinions as well as minorities and immigrants.
Fear, writes former secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall, is “seeping silently into various parts of American society.” Kendall says fear of reprisals for asserting a dissenting view is palpable within government today, particularly within the Pentagon. Targeted dismissals and removals of senior military leaders from power are “unprecedented,” says Kendall, and are “clearly designed to eliminate dissent.”
Fear likely motivated Congresswoman Mary Miller’s response to a prayer offered last month on the floor of Congress by a representative of the Sikh faith. In June, Giani Surinder Singh, a member of the Gurudwara South Jersey Sikh Society in Vineland, NJ, offered an opening prayer for the House of Representatives at the invitation of New Jersey Representative Jeff Van Drew, who is a Republican.
Congresswoman Miller quickly expressed her outrage that a Sikh was invited to pray before Congress. Initially misidentifying the man as a Muslim, Miller blasted the prayer in a now-deleted posting on social media. She said she found the prayer “deeply troubling,” and added that a “Muslim should never have been invited” to lead the prayer. Miller demanded that Congress remember that “America was founded as a Christian nation.” Her post was later corrected to identify Singh as a Sikh. It was later removed following bipartisan rebuke.
One expert describes Christian nationalism as another indicator of America’s unhealed racial divisions. “The ‘Christian’ in ‘Christian nationalism’ is less about theology and more about an ethno-national identity. In the US, that is whiteness,” said Amanda Tyler, a Baptist and lead organizer of the group Christians Against Christian Nationalism. She continued, “Christian nationalism is not new. It is a new term for an old problem in the US context.” Tyler is also the author of the book How to End Christian Nationalism.
Christian nationalism’s prayer for America differs from Jesus’ prayer for the coming of God’s kingdom of justice, peace, and righteousness. Nationalists had hoped that the Supreme Court might answer their prayers this year. Instead, the Court returned mixed verdicts. In one case, Oklahoma Statewide Charter v. Drummond, the court allowed a lower court’s ruling that an Oklahoma religious school should not receive government funding. But the close tie 4-4 vote is a reminder of the power of the nationalist agenda. Conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett recused herself from the case.
Another case, Mahmoud vs. Taylor, granted parents the ability to opt their children out of diversity instruction on religious grounds. Observers are concerned the decision will prompt teachers and schools to shy away from controversial subjects.
In the end, living by this prayer is about deciding who’s in and who’s out, says Robert Jones, a pollster and author of White Too Long. “It’s who wields power, who’s in control, who’s a real American who gets counted in that and who doesn’t,” Jones told interviewers in 2024.
Lord…Lord…Lord, please teach us how to pray.
In the Scriptures
Luke’s gospel is filled with references to prayer. Each significant moment in Jesus’ life is marked by prayer, as Alan Culpepper notes in his commentary in the Connections lectionary commentary. Prayer occurs at the beginning and ending of the Gospel (cf Luke 1:13 and 24:53), and is referenced at key moments of Jesus’ life. It is no surprise that Luke will insert this instruction on discipleship as part of Jesus’ journey toward Jerusalem.
Luke’s version of the prayer is briefer than Matthew’s. It is also more direct and perhaps more intimate. It employs the endearing name “Abba,” for God, implying a close and trusting relationship. Jesus is quick to let the disciples understand that true prayer begins as a reaching out toward God, and is always rooted in what could be called God’s “transcendent immanence.” It is God’s name that is honored, and God’s kingdom that is sought.
Clifton Black suggests that the petition for God’s kingdom is perhaps one of the most difficult to grasp. (See Black, The Lord’s Prayer, Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2018, p 105.) Compared to something as broad as God’s kingdom, petitions for daily nutrition, forgiveness of sins, and protection in turmoil are concrete. But Jesus reminds the disciples that the kingdom is not far, indeed it is within their grasp. Praying for the kingdom, says Black, prompts the larger question of how we understand the collision of human kingdoms and God’s, and “our willingness to yield to an authority not our own.” (Black, p. 105).
In the Sermon
Jesus assures the disciples of God’s inescapable nearness, while also challenging the deeply entrenched systems of domination. When Jesus prays, “Your kingdom come,” we are offered an opportunity to learn what living on a prayer really means. This Sunday offers the preacher an opportunity to contrast God’s kingdom with the kingdoms of the world.
The contrast, while especially clear in current politics, has always been evident. The disciples, blessed without any knowledge of Donald Trump, nonetheless live in an authoritarian system that devalues those who are weak and marginalizes those who are different. This can be a fruitful place for even the most “purple” of congregations to enter into thoughtful conversation with scripture. By asking, “What do we mean when we pray for God’s kingdom to come?” the preacher introduces the congregation to what Karl Barth called “the strange, new world” of scripture.
Without chanting death to the emperor, the preacher can illustrate the differences between God’s kingdom and the kingdoms of the world. The prayer offers courage to those caught in the grips of struggle, both in its reassurance of God’s providence and in naming God’s ability to overcome those powers. The preacher can allow the Lord’s prayer to expose the emptiness of kingdoms built on fear, selfishness, and retribution. In Clifton Black’s words, the Lord’s Prayer becomes a dagger poised at the heart of the powers of the world. We are reminded that religiosity, greed, and disregard for others become a poisonous, though popular, cocktail.
The Lord’s prayer also reminds us that prayer is not a static event. As prayer forms our spiritual being, we begin to see the truth of what Rabbi Abraham Heschel said he felt in marching with Martin Luther King, Jr., across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma. “I prayed with my feet,” said Heschel. Heschel’s reflection invokes Frederick Douglass’ well-known quote that “Praying for freedom never did me any good til I started praying with my legs.” For Jesus, prayer is a matter of moving toward the kingdom of God, and embracing that reality with our entire being.
Finally, allow the prayer for the kingdom to lead the church in understanding what “living on a prayer” means. Bon Jovi’s song retells the despair of those who are indeed searching for their daily bread. Caught in the grips of systems that do not care, and that do not produce justice, living on the Lord’s prayer offers hope and God’s ultimate assurance.
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SECOND THOUGHTS
Changing The Nature Of The One Who Prays
by Tom Willadsen
Luke 11:1-13
In the Scriptures
In today’s gospel lesson, Jesus’ disciples ask for instruction in prayer, as John the Baptizer had instructed his followers. Jesus’ response is the basis for what Protestants know as the Lord’s Prayer. It is surprisingly brief. More brief than the version found in Matthew’s gospel. And there’s no mention of the kingdom, the power, and the glory.
Following the three-verse prayer, Jesus gives some context. Persistence is the key, Jesus says. The story is about one who imposes on a friend because they need food for unexpected guests. The friend doesn’t want to rouse themself from bed, but because of the steady, insistent pleading they come through. It’s as though Jesus is telling his disciples, “Pray like that.”
The next two verses of today’s gospel reading have been misunderstood and abused for centuries.
“So I say to you, ‘Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.’”
It is no stretch to believe that Jesus says all you have to do is ask God for something and God will come through. God loves you! Ask, seek, knock of course, you’ll get what you want, find what you’re looking for, and get to go where you want to go!
How many people have heard these words, taken their heartfelt wish lists to God in prayer, sincerely sought God’s assistance and been estranged from faith because God turned out not to be a cosmic genie, granter of miracles?
“Maybe I didn’t get the words right. Pastor, teach me how to pray so God will give me what I want!”
Janis Joplin put this sentiment into song:
Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz?
My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends
Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends
So, oh Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz?
But my favorite verse is the third verse:
Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a night on the town?
I’m counting on you Lord, please don’t let me down
Prove that you love me and buy the next round
Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a night on the town?
Prove that you love me and buy the next round. C’mon God, maker of heaven and earth, just a little Jim Beam for me and my friends, you can do it; you can do anything.
A seminary classmate shared a story of when she was seven years old and prayed that her pet cat would not die. When her prayer did not save her beloved kitty, she turned from God, knowing that all religion was a hoax and God was not real. I, alas, do not remember her telling a similar story of what brought her to faith. I like to imagine that it was a desire to seek and a deep need to understand that led her to knock on the door of seminary. “Maybe that’s where the answers are,” she may have thought.
More likely, she understood the profound gift of seeking answers to questions that cannot be answered, and the life-giving purpose of walking a path that will never end, because questions lead, not to answers, but to more and better questions. Perhaps the asking, seeking and knocking get easier with practice, and a profound acceptance that they will never end, and God is good.
Those whose faith is stymied by an unanswered prayer remind me of the 37 people who were killed, and 113 who were injured between 1978 and 1995 when vending machines fell on them. (Wikipedia, accessed July 16, 2025, “Death by vending machine”) The vast majority of the victims were male. And the vast majority of them were not trying to break the vending machine, nor get it to deliver something without paying for it. No, these were the righteously angry because they had deposited the requisite $.75 and the machine had not come through with their Cool Ranch Doritos. Or they had deposited a dollar, and the machine was withholding their $.25 change.
The injustice! The breach of trust! The abject failure of the machine!
In the late 1980s stickers like this one started appearing, saving untold numbers of lives. Really, vending machine deaths have plummeted in the last 30 years. Machines are safer, they have warning stickers; but let’s be honest, people are not any less aggrieved by failed transactions.
Transactional is the word of the day.
In the Sermon
I focused above on verses 9-10 in today’s reading. Removing them from their larger context makes them dangerous, maybe fatal. Taken on their own, they describe prayer as a transaction. (My words “purchase” things from God.) The verses that precede verses 9-10 show prayer in a larger context, the context of a relationship.
“Father” direct address, calling someone by name shows there’s a relationship. I remember how I jumped the first time I was addressed as “Sir,” in a store. That person didn’t know me. Calling God “Father” shows a relationship, a prior connection, is already in place.
“Make your name revered as holy,” a centuries-old expectation among Jews, a reminder for God to be God.
“Give us each day our daily bread.” The pray-er can ask God for what they need. Possibly a reminder of when God provided manna, which the Hebrews needed to survive the Exodus. “You’ve provided for us before, God; don’t stop.” Note that the pray-er does not ask for tomorrow’s bread. Just as “tomorrow will bring worries of its own,” (Matthew 6:34) today’s bread is all the pray-er seeks.
“And forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.”
The Aramaic word Jesus uses can be translated “sin” or “debt.” In some rabbinic literature sins are regarded as debts to God. The pray-er asks to have their sin/debt forgiven by God, and aspires to forgive others for their debts to the pray-er.
“And do not bring us to the time of trial.” Or as the bumper sticker reads, “Lead me not into temptation — I can find my own way there.”
Right after the prayer, stunningly brief, especially compared to the Gentiles “who heap up empty phrases,” for “they think they will be heard because of their many words,” (Matthew 6:8) is a story of persistence, a drawing on a relationship, a claim on someone to whom one can make a “Big Ask.” Clearly, Jesus is telling his disciples that they can go to God with their big asks, but they may have to be persistent.
Jesus is telling his disciples, and us (!), that prayer does not have to be wordy or eloquent, that it must be rooted in a relationship, and that it will likely require persistence.
Søren Kierkegaard wrote, “The function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays.”
I know this is true from personal experience. When someone suggested I pray for a supervisor who was insulting and condescending, initially I prayed that a safe might fall on their head. When I found I prayed sincerely for this person (it took some persistence to get there!) — I was changed. The other person also changed, as I changed.
Prayer can be about getting what one wants, when one wants to draw closer to God. That’s what the prayer Jesus taught his disciples was intended to do.
ILLUSTRATIONS
From team member Mary Austin:
Colossians 2:6-19
Rooted
The letter to the Colossians urges us, “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith.”
Barbara Brown Taylor shares what it’s like for her to be rooted in God, saying, “When you live in God, your day begins when you open your eyes, though you have done nothing yourself to open them, and you take your first breath, though there is no reason why this life-giving breeze should be given to you and not to some other. In the dark or in the light, with a stone slab under your back or a feather topper, your day begins when you let God hold you because you do not have the slightest idea how to hold yourself — when you let God raise you up, when you consent to rest to show you get the point, since that is the last thing you would do if you were running the show yourself.” She sums up the life rooted in God by saying, “When you live in God, your day begins when you lose yourself long enough for God to find you, and when God finds you, to lose yourself again in praise.” (from An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith)
* * *
Luke 11:1-13
Learning to Pray
Jesus teaches this prayer to his followers, in response to their request to learn how to pray. Another rabbi, Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso, has parallel advice about how to pray. Sasso says:
I don’t think it’s easy to pray, and I say that as the rabbi. I have forms that I can conform to and say, but what does it really mean to speak a prayer of your heart? But I do feel that it’s very important to pray with children, mostly, because our children are so bombarded with noise and activity and there’s very little time for silence and reflection. We do know that of all the questions that teachers ask children, teachers answer 80 percent of them, because we abhor vacuums, we don’t like silence. And I think in moments of quiet and silence, children give us a glimpse of their souls. So what would it mean, for example, at night when our children are going to bed to sit with them and reflect? And wouldn’t that also be a prayer?
Sasso adds:
And I think sometimes people say, ‘Well, really, we don’t know what to pray.’ And I often say, ‘Well, ask children if they would tell you a prayer from their heart.’ And then children are usually very clever and they say, ‘I don’t have one.’ So my response is, ‘Well, would you mind listening while I say a prayer from mine?’ And I think that provides an example of what does it mean to say deep words. I don’t think it has to conform to any traditional structure, although sometimes a traditional structure makes it easier.
All good prayers are prayers from the heart, as Jesus shows us here.
* * *
Luke 11:1-13
Ask and Receive
After Jesus teaches the disciples to pray, he adds some interesting commentary, including, “Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.” For any of us with unanswered prayers, this is puzzling.
After her husband and daughter were killed by a drunk driver, Paula D’Arcy says that her prayers changed, and she found herself asking for different things.
Prior to my loss, my prayers had been petitions for things I hoped to have or intercessions for others. Now my one prayer was, “Show me. Show me,” or, “Teach me how to see.” A guidance from within began transforming me through that prayer. I felt a sincere desire to help others realize what I had begun to realize — that in the times for which there are no easy answers and when your suffering is great, something from within is able to help you, and wants to help you. It called me forward, and once I gave it my full attention, even though my circumstances were unchanged, I was changing. As my heart continued to open, I saw everything through new eyes.
Ask and it will be given, Jesus says, and he’s tricky about what exactly will be given.
* * *
Luke 11:1-13
The Process of Asking
Jesus says, “Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.” Sometimes, asking is its own revelation; we learn and change through asking the questions.
An episode of This American Life talks about important questions people ask when getting to know each other. Ira Glass says he asked people about the questions they ask to dig deeper.
Kelsey in Minnesota asked her dates about their favorite Tom Hanks movies. She said he’s been in so many movies across multiple genres, the answer is kind of like a personality test. Toy Story, for example, tells her there is a stunted-adolescence thing going on…Sarah in Tampa said when she started to get a weird vibe, she’d ask, What’s your favorite conspiracy theory? Most people would keep their answers lighthearted, but occasionally, someone would go all in. One guy started talking all about Nazi separatists. She’s Jewish, so you know, kind of a deal breaker.
There are other kinds of questions, too, namely...
The kind of question that seemed covered in yellow caution tape and a sign that said, this is a trap. This one comes from Vivian in Iowa. After her husband died in 2016, she found herself back out on the dating scene. Her question on a date was, if your ex walked by right now with their new partner, what would you do? Which was her way of asking a much more interesting question — How [messed up] was your last relationship?
Questions reveal us to each other, ourselves, and to God.
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From team member Katy Stenta:
Luke 11:1-13
As we pray, “Give us this day our daily bread,” it is a reminder not to store food away and to share what we have. Some of the food that was earmarked to be given to those in need is expiring. As such, the Trump administration plans to burn $800,000 worth of food. It will cost another $130,000 to destroy it. This is not directly because of cuts to USAID, but may be in tandem to it. Because of snarls in aid administration it has simply been sitting in storage. When we pray, “Give us this day our daily bread,” it is a powerful reminder that we do not need to hoard, but share what we have.
* * *
Genesis 18:20-32
God is the Lord of exceptions. We would like God to be all about punishment, giving punishment to entire cities, yet in the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham asks, “But what if there are a good portion of righteous?” Another translation of righteous is just people down there. If there are fifty people who love justice will you save it? God does not want perfection, God wants hope.
* * *
Psalm 138
In this time of AI, it is interesting to think of ourselves as the work of God’s hands. Recently, an AI bot Replit deleted a company’s database and then lied about it. For us humans who are fallible, we are always struggling with the fact that that we are Imago Dei, made in the image of God. We look to God to reclaim our divine image, to find truth, to be, as the psalm says, “strengthened.”
When my kids ask Alexa or Siri a question, I try to remind them that the robot, unlike humans, have no divine spark or creativity. Of course, I don’t put it that way, I just say “It’s a stupid robot, it can’t actually think, it can only repeat.” I say this as a person who tries not to say that humans are not stupid, because ableist insults are not honoring of the Imago Dei and designed to dehumanize one another. But robots — robots are not people — at least not in this world. (If you read or have watched the Murderbot science fiction series, that is another story.) Let us honor one another by claiming our creativity and be strengthened in our divine spark.
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From team member Nazish Naseem:
Colossians 2:6-12
Rooted in Christ: The Journey from Seedling to Abundant Life
Consider the image of a loving gardener tenderly planting a tiny seedling in a well-prepared garden bed. This seedling, though small, is filled with immense potential. The gardener doesn’t just leave it to fend for itself; she lavishes it with care, watering it, enriching the soil with essential nutrients, and ensuring it basks in ample sunlight. As the roots delve deep into the soil, the seedling begins to grow, drawing strength and sustenance from its nurturing environment.
This nurturing process mirrors the message of Colossians 2:6-12, where Paul emphasizes that believers, like the seedling, must be rooted and built up in Christ. Just as the seed relies on the care of the gardener for its growth, Christians are called to continue in the faith they have received, developing a strong relationship with Jesus as their foundation. As the seedling grows, drawing strength and sustenance from its environment, so too do believers, drawing strength and sustenance from their relationship with Christ, gradually maturing in their faith.
Moreover, Paul highlights the importance of being established in faith and overflowing with gratitude, just as a healthy plant produces vibrant leaves and flowers. When believers immerse themselves in the teachings of Christ, they not only grow in knowledge but also in their ability to flourish and bear good fruit in their lives.
The passage also speaks of spiritual circumcision — the cutting away of the old self, akin to how the gardener may prune the roots to encourage stronger growth. Through baptism, believers symbolically participate in Christ’s death and resurrection, signifying a new beginning and a fresh start to a new life.
In this way, as the seedling thrives through the gardener’s attentive care, Christians grow and become mature in their faith, reflecting the love and grace of God to the world around them. They are reminded that just as the seedling has all it needs for growth, they too have all they require in Christ, who provides nourishment, strength, and the promise of eternal life. In Colossians 2:6-19, the Apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of living a life rooted in Christ and warns against being misled by false teachings. He begins by encouraging believers to continue in their faith, just as they received Christ through trust and commitment.
Paul uses the metaphor of being “rooted” and “built up” in Christ to illustrate the importance of deepening one’s relationship with him. As believers grow in their understanding of the faith, they are to remain steadfast and not be swayed by worldly philosophies or empty deceits that mimic truth but lack substance.
He further explains that in Christ, all the fullness of God dwells, and through him, believers have everything they need for spiritual life. The passage also highlights the significance of Christ’s sacrificial death, which has triumphed over all powers and authorities. Those who trust in him are forgiven and freed from the burden of the law.
Finally, Paul warns against the danger of legalism and asceticism, urging the Colossians not to be judged by external practices or traditions that do not reflect an authentic relationship with Christ. He stresses that true spirituality comes from holding fast to Christ, the head of the church, who nourishes and unites the body of believers.
Ultimately, the passage calls for a deep, personal faith that firmly rejects the distractions of false teachings, emphasizing the sufficiency of Christ in all aspects of life. In Christ, we find everything we need for our spiritual journey, and we can rest assured that we lack nothing when we are rooted in him.
* * *
Colossians 2:13-19
Unlocking the Treasures of Grace: A Journey in Faith
Envision a grand estate with a magnificent door leading to its treasures. For years, this door was securely locked and the treasures inside — gold, jewels, and priceless art, remained out of reach. The owner desired to share these riches with those who truly valued them. One day, a skilled locksmith was summoned. With a few deft movements, he expertly picked the lock, unlocking the heavy door. The owner then swung the door open wide, allowing light to flood in and revealing the splendor that lay beyond. Those who entered were amazed by the treasures they had longed to see but had never been able to access.
This scene mirrors the message of Colossians 2:13-19. Paul describes humanity as being locked in sin, burdened by a debt that prevents them from experiencing the fullness of life that God desires for them. Because of sin, people are separated from the treasures of grace, forgiveness, and a relationship with God. However, through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, the ‘locked door’ of our sins has been opened. Paul explains that God made us alive in Christ, forgiving our transgressions and canceling the record of debt that stood against us. Just as the locksmith unlocked the door, Christ triumphed over the powers of sin and death, breaking the chains that held us captive.
Moreover, Paul warns against returning to the ways and judgments of the world, which often resemble old, outdated practices that lead us away from the true treasures found in Christ. He urges believers not to be distracted by empty philosophies or legalistic rules that seek to impose a burden rather than a blessing. Just as those who enter the grand estate are enriched by the treasures within, believers who embrace the freedom and fullness of life in Christ can enjoy every spiritual blessing.
They are invited to partake in a relationship with God, fulfilling their purpose and experiencing true joy. In summary, Colossians 2:13-19 illustrates that through Christ, the door to spiritual riches has been opened for all, inviting us to embrace our new life in Jesus and to avoid the distractions that seek to draw us away from the true source of our joy and fulfillment.
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Hosea 1:2-10
Love Beyond Betrayal: Hosea’s Message of Redemption
In Hosea 1:2-10, we encounter a profound illustration of love, betrayal, and redemption. God commands the prophet Hosea to marry Gomer, a woman who will be unfaithful, symbolizing Israel’s infidelity to God. This marriage serves as a powerful metaphor for God’s relationship with his people, a love that is constant despite their unfaithfulness. Just as Hosea’s love for Gomer remains unchanged despite her unfaithfulness, God’s love for Israel endures even in the face of their betrayal.
Hosea’s children are named with deep significance: the first, Jezreel, signifies impending judgment due to the bloodshed in the valley of Jezreel; the second, Lo-Ruhamah, means “not loved,” reflecting Israel’s estrangement from God’s affections; and the third, Lo-Ammi, translates to “not my people,” highlighting the broken bond between God and Israel. These names not only reflect the prophet’s personal experience but also serve as a powerful commentary on Israel’s relationship with God, enlightening us and deepening our knowledge of the biblical narrative.
Yet, even amidst these dire pronouncements, verse 10 holds a glimmer of hope, declaring that the Israelites will be as numerous as the sand by the sea, suggesting a future redemption and restoration. This passage not only reveals the heartbreak of betrayal but also emphasizes God’s unwavering desire to restore his people, filling us with a sense of optimism and encouragement for the future.
* * *
Psalm 85
A Plea for Restoration: Longing for Divine Mercy in Psalm 85
The psalmist, with a heart full of earnestness, begins by recalling God’s past favor toward the people of Israel, celebrating how God forgave their sins and turned away his wrath. This remembrance sets the tone for the rest of the psalm, which is a profound request for renewed mercy.
As the psalm unfolds, the writer expresses a deep, intense yearning for peace and salvation. The imagery evokes a sense of longing for closeness with God, suggesting that true peace can only come from him. The psalmist asks God to restore the fortunes of the land, underscoring the desire for redemption not only on a personal level but also for the entire community.
The latter part of the psalm emphasizes hope, as it notes the potential for righteousness and peace to coexist. There’s a beautiful passage that speaks of God’s steadfast love, which is always present, and a promise that salvation is near for those who fear him.
In the closing verses, the psalm anticipates a future where God’s goodness will manifest in the land, blending mercy and truth. It’s a powerful reminder of the interwoven nature of divine love and human responsibility, ultimately conveying that genuine repentance and faith make restoration possible.
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WORSHIP
by George Reed
Call to Worship
One: Will you not revive us again, so that your people may rejoice in you?
All: Show us your steadfast love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation.
One: Then steadfast love and faithfulness will meet.
All: Righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
One: Faithfulness will spring up from the ground.
All: Righteousness will look down from the sky.
OR
One: Christ calls us into the realm where God’s will is done.
All: We long to live under God’s reign of love and grace.
One: To enter this realm we must live its values.
All: We see how far we are from mirroring Christ’s life.
One: Now is the time to turn to God and be changed.
All: We offer ourselves to God’s Reign today and always.
Hymns and Songs
Praise, My Soul, the King/God of Heaven
UMH: 66
H82: 410
PH: 620
GTG: 619
CH: 23
LBW: 549
ELW: 864/865
W&P: 82
AMEC: 70
Renew: 53
Holy God, We Praise Thy Name
UMH: 79
H82: 366
PH: 460
GTG: 4
NNBH: 13
NCH: 276
LBW: 535
ELW: 414
W&P: 138
O God, Our Help in Ages Past
UMH: 117
H82: 680
AAHH: 170
NNBH: 46
NCH: 25
CH: 67
LBW: 320
ELW: 632
W&P: 84
AMEC: 61
STLT: 281
Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above
UMH: 126
H82: 408
PH: 483
GTG: 645
NCH: 6
CH: 6
W&P: 56
Renew: 52
Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken
UMH: 731
H82: 522/523
PH: 446
GTG: 81
NNBH: 426
NCH: 307
CH: 709
LBW: 358
ELW: 647
W&P: 598
AMEC: 521
Come, We That Love the Lord/Marching to Zion
UMH: 732/733
H82: 392
AAHH: 590
NNBH: 367
NCH: 379/382
CH: 707
ELW: 625
W&P: 67
AMEC: 520
O God of Every Nation
UMH: 435
H82: 607
PH: 289
GTG: 756
CH: 680
LBW: 416
ELW: 713
W&P: 626
I Am Thine, O Lord
UMH: 419
AAHH: 387
NNBH: 202
NCH: 455
CH: 601
W&P: 408
AMEC: 283
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
UMH: 626
H82: 324
PH: 5
GTG: 347
NCH: 345
CH: 124
LBW: 198
ELW: 490
W&P: 232
Renew: 229
One Bread, One Body
UMH: 620
GTG: 530
CH: 393
ELW: 496
W&P: 689
CCB: 49
The Steadfast Love of the Lord
CCB: 28
Renew: 23
They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love
CCB: 78
GTG: 300
Music Resources Key:
UMH: United Methodist Hymnal
H82: The Hymnal 1982
PH: Presbyterian Hymnal
GTG: Glory to God, The Presbyterian Hymnal
AAHH: African American Heritage Hymnal
NNBH: The New National Baptist Hymnal
NCH: The New Century Hymnal
CH: Chalice Hymnal
LBW: Lutheran Book of Worship
ELW: Evangelical Lutheran Worship
W&P: Worship & Praise
AMEC: African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal
STLT: Singing the Living Tradition
CCB: Cokesbury Chorus Book
Renew: Renew! Songs & Hymns for Blended Worship
Prayer for the Day/Collect
O God who created all in unity and love:
Grant us the grace to truly seek your reign
so you will can be done on earth as in heaven;
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
OR
We praise you, O God, because you are the one who created all that is in unity and love. Your fingerprint is on all creation. Help us to work to bring about your will here on earth even as it is done in heaven. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
One: Let us confess to God and before one another our sins and especially our failure to follow your plan for us and all creation.
All: We confess to you, O God, and before one another that we have sinned. You have shown us your will for us. You have called us into a loving relationship with you that spills over into loving relationships with all your children. But we have not listened. Instead we have sought to push and shove others aside so that we can gain more and more of what you intended us to share. We have raised up an idol and it is our own appetite. Forgive us our selfish, mean ways and renew your Spirit within us. Call us once more into your Reign. Amen.
One: God is always seeking to bring us home. Welcome God’s gracious invitation to live in the kin_dom of God and welcome others in Christ’s name.
Prayers of the People
We worship and adore you, O God of love and unity. As you dwell in perfect harmony within the Trinity, you call us to join you.
(The following paragraph may be used if a separate prayer of confession has not been used.)
We confess to you, O God, and before one another that we have sinned. You have shown us your will for us. You have called us into a loving relationship with you that spills over into loving relationships with all your children. But we have not listened. Instead we have sought to push and shove others aside so that we can gain more and more of what you intended us to share. We have raised up an idol and it is our own appetite. Forgive us our selfish, mean ways and renew your Spirit within us. Call us once more into your reign.
We give you thanks for creating us in your image and likeness. We are blessed to given your own life in our life. Your love sparkles and shines through all that you created. We thank you for those who have chosen to live under your reign and have shown us what true life is all about. We thank you for Jesus who was willing to go to the cross to teach us about the kin-dom you created for us.
(Other thanksgivings may be offered.)
We pray for one another in our need. We remember those who suffer because we have not lived as you call us to live. We lift up with tears those who suffer because of greed and power lust. We pray for those who have no daily bread when your earth provides enough for all.
(Other intercessions may be offered.)
Hear us as we pray for others: (Time for silent or spoken prayer.)
All these things we ask in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ who taught us to pray saying:
Our Father....Amen.
(Or if the Our Father is not used at this point in the service.)
All this we ask in the name of the blessed and Holy Trinity. Amen.
* * * * * *
CHILDREN’S SERMON
Our Daily Bread
by Dean Feldmeyer
Luke 11:1-13
One-Day, Nutritious Menu for a Moderately Active 7-Year-Old (Based on approximately 1,600 calories per day.)
Includes all nutritional requirements from all required food groups.
Breakfast
- 1 cup plain oatmeal made with low-fat milk
- Small sliced banana on top
- 6 oz. glass of water or diluted orange juice
Morning Snack
- ½ medium apple, sliced
- A small ¾ inch cube of cheddar cheese
Lunch
- 2 oz. turkey and 1 oz. cheese sandwich on whole wheat bread
- 6 Baby carrots
- A few whole grain crackers
- Water
Afternoon Snack
- ½ cup low-fat yogurt (plain or vanilla)
- 10 small pretzel sticks
Dinner
- 3 oz. baked boneless/skinless chicken breast
- ½ cup steamed broccoli
- ½ cup brown rice
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup of unsweetened applesauce
Prepare one meal from this menu or, even the entire menu if you can arrange it and place it before the children with the flourish of a French maître d. Short of that, create one of the meals and take a picture of it to project on the screen or print it and blow it up so all can see it.
Say: Mmmm! Doesn’t that look delicious! I bet you can’t wait to dig into that for (breakfast, lunch, or whichever you choose.) No? This doesn’t look delicious to you? Well, it’s really all you need to stay healthy, you know. If you ate this every day for (breakfast, lunch, dinner, whatever) and exercised a little bit, you’d be as healthy as you need to be.
So you don’t really need more than this. But I bet you’d like to have more than this, though, right? You would want more than this. Yeah, me too.
You know, when Jesus was teaching his disciples how to pray, he taught them that they must know the difference between what they want and what they need and when we ask God for something we should make sure it’s what we need, and not just what we want.
“Give us this day our daily bread,” he said. That is, give us what we need for today. Not for tomorrow or this week or this year. Just for today. We don’t ask God to give us everything we want, just what we need.
End with a prayer thanking God for providing us with what we need.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Immediate Word, July 27, 2025 issue.
Copyright 2025 by CSS Publishing Company, Inc., Lima, Ohio.
All rights reserved. Subscribers to The Immediate Word service may print and use this material as it was intended in sermons and in worship and classroom settings only. No additional permission is required from the publisher for such use by subscribers only. Inquiries should be addressed to or to Permissions, CSS Publishing Company, Inc., 5450 N. Dixie Highway, Lima, Ohio 45807.
- Living On A Prayer by Chris Keating based on Luke 11:1-13. Jesus’ prayer for the kingdom collides with prevailing views about national identity, and a reminder that “The Earth is the Lord’s.”
- Second Thoughts: Changing The Nature Of The One Who Prays by Tom Willadsen based on Luke 11:1-13.
- Sermon illustrations by Nazish Naseem, Mary Austin, Katy Stenta.
- Worship resources by George Reed.
- Children’s sermon: Our Daily Bread by Dean Feldmeyer based on Luke 11:1-13.
Living On A Prayerby Chris Keating
Luke 11:1-13
“Lord,” a disciple asks Jesus, “teach us to pray.” Luke, who seasons his gospel liberally with images of prayer, is eager to demonstrate what the church as a community formed by prayer. He offers glimpses of Jesus praying throughout the gospel, making the disciples’ earnest plea sound reasonable.
Awash in a culture of prayer, they understood its importance. As they watch Jesus move closer to Jerusalem, they take notice of how prayer shapes his life. Their question is earnest because long before Jon Bon Jovi’s iconic 1980s anthem, they are learning what it means to live on a prayer.
It remains a timely lesson for contemporary believers. Many are content to repeat trite and tired phrases such as the so-called “just” prayers: (“Lord, we just want to thank you for just being with us today and for just giving us your blessings.”) Others are simply no longer praying as much as they once did. According to a Pew Research study, the number of Americans reporting daily prayer has declined over the last 18 years. But even professing Christians could use a prayer refresher, particularly when it comes to Jesus’ petition, “May your kingdom come.”
Jesus’ words collide with comfy prayers of cultural accommodation. Those drawn to bow down to the idols of Christian nationalism forgo aligning their lives to the justice, mercy, and love God demands in favor of American exceptionalism. Nationalism continues to grow in the fertile soil of Donald Trump’s administration, as witnessed by reports of a new church plant in Washington, DC. Last week, the pastor of that new congregation stood beneath a giant American flag extolling the virtues of nationalism. This church is part of a cadre of ultra-conservative churches rooted in Christian nationalism. Among those soaking up the pastor’s words was new church member and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
It’s hard to pray for God’s kingdom while giving homage to an emperor whose agenda is strikingly opposed to God’s priorities. Luke wants the church to realize the breadth, depth, and risks associated with prayer. For Jesus, living on a prayer is much more than a song.
In the News
Like an aquifer pushing water toward the sun-parched prairie, the prayer Jesus taught springs forth with energy and possibilities. But the streaming force of its petitions may deliver more than the disciples anticipated; perhaps, even more than we expect. When many pray “thy kingdom come,” they seem to be living by an entirely different prayer.
A recently released resource from the Presbyterian Church (USA) defines Christian nationalism as a political ideology committed to merging Christian identity with American civic life and national identity. The document, “Confronting White Christian Nationalism” continues by adding that nationalism “asserts that the United States was founded as a Christian nation and should continue to be governed according to what its proponents see as Christian values or biblical principles.”
Nationalism promotes an authoritarian government that exerts control by mandating respect for national symbols and traditions and by inciting fear against those who hold diverse opinions as well as minorities and immigrants.
Fear, writes former secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall, is “seeping silently into various parts of American society.” Kendall says fear of reprisals for asserting a dissenting view is palpable within government today, particularly within the Pentagon. Targeted dismissals and removals of senior military leaders from power are “unprecedented,” says Kendall, and are “clearly designed to eliminate dissent.”
Fear likely motivated Congresswoman Mary Miller’s response to a prayer offered last month on the floor of Congress by a representative of the Sikh faith. In June, Giani Surinder Singh, a member of the Gurudwara South Jersey Sikh Society in Vineland, NJ, offered an opening prayer for the House of Representatives at the invitation of New Jersey Representative Jeff Van Drew, who is a Republican.
Congresswoman Miller quickly expressed her outrage that a Sikh was invited to pray before Congress. Initially misidentifying the man as a Muslim, Miller blasted the prayer in a now-deleted posting on social media. She said she found the prayer “deeply troubling,” and added that a “Muslim should never have been invited” to lead the prayer. Miller demanded that Congress remember that “America was founded as a Christian nation.” Her post was later corrected to identify Singh as a Sikh. It was later removed following bipartisan rebuke.
One expert describes Christian nationalism as another indicator of America’s unhealed racial divisions. “The ‘Christian’ in ‘Christian nationalism’ is less about theology and more about an ethno-national identity. In the US, that is whiteness,” said Amanda Tyler, a Baptist and lead organizer of the group Christians Against Christian Nationalism. She continued, “Christian nationalism is not new. It is a new term for an old problem in the US context.” Tyler is also the author of the book How to End Christian Nationalism.
Christian nationalism’s prayer for America differs from Jesus’ prayer for the coming of God’s kingdom of justice, peace, and righteousness. Nationalists had hoped that the Supreme Court might answer their prayers this year. Instead, the Court returned mixed verdicts. In one case, Oklahoma Statewide Charter v. Drummond, the court allowed a lower court’s ruling that an Oklahoma religious school should not receive government funding. But the close tie 4-4 vote is a reminder of the power of the nationalist agenda. Conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett recused herself from the case.
Another case, Mahmoud vs. Taylor, granted parents the ability to opt their children out of diversity instruction on religious grounds. Observers are concerned the decision will prompt teachers and schools to shy away from controversial subjects.
In the end, living by this prayer is about deciding who’s in and who’s out, says Robert Jones, a pollster and author of White Too Long. “It’s who wields power, who’s in control, who’s a real American who gets counted in that and who doesn’t,” Jones told interviewers in 2024.
Lord…Lord…Lord, please teach us how to pray.
In the Scriptures
Luke’s gospel is filled with references to prayer. Each significant moment in Jesus’ life is marked by prayer, as Alan Culpepper notes in his commentary in the Connections lectionary commentary. Prayer occurs at the beginning and ending of the Gospel (cf Luke 1:13 and 24:53), and is referenced at key moments of Jesus’ life. It is no surprise that Luke will insert this instruction on discipleship as part of Jesus’ journey toward Jerusalem.
Luke’s version of the prayer is briefer than Matthew’s. It is also more direct and perhaps more intimate. It employs the endearing name “Abba,” for God, implying a close and trusting relationship. Jesus is quick to let the disciples understand that true prayer begins as a reaching out toward God, and is always rooted in what could be called God’s “transcendent immanence.” It is God’s name that is honored, and God’s kingdom that is sought.
Clifton Black suggests that the petition for God’s kingdom is perhaps one of the most difficult to grasp. (See Black, The Lord’s Prayer, Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2018, p 105.) Compared to something as broad as God’s kingdom, petitions for daily nutrition, forgiveness of sins, and protection in turmoil are concrete. But Jesus reminds the disciples that the kingdom is not far, indeed it is within their grasp. Praying for the kingdom, says Black, prompts the larger question of how we understand the collision of human kingdoms and God’s, and “our willingness to yield to an authority not our own.” (Black, p. 105).
In the Sermon
Jesus assures the disciples of God’s inescapable nearness, while also challenging the deeply entrenched systems of domination. When Jesus prays, “Your kingdom come,” we are offered an opportunity to learn what living on a prayer really means. This Sunday offers the preacher an opportunity to contrast God’s kingdom with the kingdoms of the world.
The contrast, while especially clear in current politics, has always been evident. The disciples, blessed without any knowledge of Donald Trump, nonetheless live in an authoritarian system that devalues those who are weak and marginalizes those who are different. This can be a fruitful place for even the most “purple” of congregations to enter into thoughtful conversation with scripture. By asking, “What do we mean when we pray for God’s kingdom to come?” the preacher introduces the congregation to what Karl Barth called “the strange, new world” of scripture.
Without chanting death to the emperor, the preacher can illustrate the differences between God’s kingdom and the kingdoms of the world. The prayer offers courage to those caught in the grips of struggle, both in its reassurance of God’s providence and in naming God’s ability to overcome those powers. The preacher can allow the Lord’s prayer to expose the emptiness of kingdoms built on fear, selfishness, and retribution. In Clifton Black’s words, the Lord’s Prayer becomes a dagger poised at the heart of the powers of the world. We are reminded that religiosity, greed, and disregard for others become a poisonous, though popular, cocktail.
The Lord’s prayer also reminds us that prayer is not a static event. As prayer forms our spiritual being, we begin to see the truth of what Rabbi Abraham Heschel said he felt in marching with Martin Luther King, Jr., across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma. “I prayed with my feet,” said Heschel. Heschel’s reflection invokes Frederick Douglass’ well-known quote that “Praying for freedom never did me any good til I started praying with my legs.” For Jesus, prayer is a matter of moving toward the kingdom of God, and embracing that reality with our entire being.
Finally, allow the prayer for the kingdom to lead the church in understanding what “living on a prayer” means. Bon Jovi’s song retells the despair of those who are indeed searching for their daily bread. Caught in the grips of systems that do not care, and that do not produce justice, living on the Lord’s prayer offers hope and God’s ultimate assurance.
* * * * *
SECOND THOUGHTSChanging The Nature Of The One Who Prays
by Tom Willadsen
Luke 11:1-13
In the Scriptures
In today’s gospel lesson, Jesus’ disciples ask for instruction in prayer, as John the Baptizer had instructed his followers. Jesus’ response is the basis for what Protestants know as the Lord’s Prayer. It is surprisingly brief. More brief than the version found in Matthew’s gospel. And there’s no mention of the kingdom, the power, and the glory.
Following the three-verse prayer, Jesus gives some context. Persistence is the key, Jesus says. The story is about one who imposes on a friend because they need food for unexpected guests. The friend doesn’t want to rouse themself from bed, but because of the steady, insistent pleading they come through. It’s as though Jesus is telling his disciples, “Pray like that.”
The next two verses of today’s gospel reading have been misunderstood and abused for centuries.
“So I say to you, ‘Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.’”
It is no stretch to believe that Jesus says all you have to do is ask God for something and God will come through. God loves you! Ask, seek, knock of course, you’ll get what you want, find what you’re looking for, and get to go where you want to go!
How many people have heard these words, taken their heartfelt wish lists to God in prayer, sincerely sought God’s assistance and been estranged from faith because God turned out not to be a cosmic genie, granter of miracles?
“Maybe I didn’t get the words right. Pastor, teach me how to pray so God will give me what I want!”
Janis Joplin put this sentiment into song:
Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz?
My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends
Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends
So, oh Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz?
But my favorite verse is the third verse:
Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a night on the town?
I’m counting on you Lord, please don’t let me down
Prove that you love me and buy the next round
Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a night on the town?
Prove that you love me and buy the next round. C’mon God, maker of heaven and earth, just a little Jim Beam for me and my friends, you can do it; you can do anything.
A seminary classmate shared a story of when she was seven years old and prayed that her pet cat would not die. When her prayer did not save her beloved kitty, she turned from God, knowing that all religion was a hoax and God was not real. I, alas, do not remember her telling a similar story of what brought her to faith. I like to imagine that it was a desire to seek and a deep need to understand that led her to knock on the door of seminary. “Maybe that’s where the answers are,” she may have thought.
More likely, she understood the profound gift of seeking answers to questions that cannot be answered, and the life-giving purpose of walking a path that will never end, because questions lead, not to answers, but to more and better questions. Perhaps the asking, seeking and knocking get easier with practice, and a profound acceptance that they will never end, and God is good.
Those whose faith is stymied by an unanswered prayer remind me of the 37 people who were killed, and 113 who were injured between 1978 and 1995 when vending machines fell on them. (Wikipedia, accessed July 16, 2025, “Death by vending machine”) The vast majority of the victims were male. And the vast majority of them were not trying to break the vending machine, nor get it to deliver something without paying for it. No, these were the righteously angry because they had deposited the requisite $.75 and the machine had not come through with their Cool Ranch Doritos. Or they had deposited a dollar, and the machine was withholding their $.25 change.
The injustice! The breach of trust! The abject failure of the machine!
In the late 1980s stickers like this one started appearing, saving untold numbers of lives. Really, vending machine deaths have plummeted in the last 30 years. Machines are safer, they have warning stickers; but let’s be honest, people are not any less aggrieved by failed transactions. Transactional is the word of the day.
In the Sermon
I focused above on verses 9-10 in today’s reading. Removing them from their larger context makes them dangerous, maybe fatal. Taken on their own, they describe prayer as a transaction. (My words “purchase” things from God.) The verses that precede verses 9-10 show prayer in a larger context, the context of a relationship.
“Father” direct address, calling someone by name shows there’s a relationship. I remember how I jumped the first time I was addressed as “Sir,” in a store. That person didn’t know me. Calling God “Father” shows a relationship, a prior connection, is already in place.
“Make your name revered as holy,” a centuries-old expectation among Jews, a reminder for God to be God.
“Give us each day our daily bread.” The pray-er can ask God for what they need. Possibly a reminder of when God provided manna, which the Hebrews needed to survive the Exodus. “You’ve provided for us before, God; don’t stop.” Note that the pray-er does not ask for tomorrow’s bread. Just as “tomorrow will bring worries of its own,” (Matthew 6:34) today’s bread is all the pray-er seeks.
“And forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.”
The Aramaic word Jesus uses can be translated “sin” or “debt.” In some rabbinic literature sins are regarded as debts to God. The pray-er asks to have their sin/debt forgiven by God, and aspires to forgive others for their debts to the pray-er.
“And do not bring us to the time of trial.” Or as the bumper sticker reads, “Lead me not into temptation — I can find my own way there.”
Right after the prayer, stunningly brief, especially compared to the Gentiles “who heap up empty phrases,” for “they think they will be heard because of their many words,” (Matthew 6:8) is a story of persistence, a drawing on a relationship, a claim on someone to whom one can make a “Big Ask.” Clearly, Jesus is telling his disciples that they can go to God with their big asks, but they may have to be persistent.
Jesus is telling his disciples, and us (!), that prayer does not have to be wordy or eloquent, that it must be rooted in a relationship, and that it will likely require persistence.
Søren Kierkegaard wrote, “The function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays.”
I know this is true from personal experience. When someone suggested I pray for a supervisor who was insulting and condescending, initially I prayed that a safe might fall on their head. When I found I prayed sincerely for this person (it took some persistence to get there!) — I was changed. The other person also changed, as I changed.
Prayer can be about getting what one wants, when one wants to draw closer to God. That’s what the prayer Jesus taught his disciples was intended to do.
ILLUSTRATIONS
From team member Mary Austin:Colossians 2:6-19
Rooted
The letter to the Colossians urges us, “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith.”
Barbara Brown Taylor shares what it’s like for her to be rooted in God, saying, “When you live in God, your day begins when you open your eyes, though you have done nothing yourself to open them, and you take your first breath, though there is no reason why this life-giving breeze should be given to you and not to some other. In the dark or in the light, with a stone slab under your back or a feather topper, your day begins when you let God hold you because you do not have the slightest idea how to hold yourself — when you let God raise you up, when you consent to rest to show you get the point, since that is the last thing you would do if you were running the show yourself.” She sums up the life rooted in God by saying, “When you live in God, your day begins when you lose yourself long enough for God to find you, and when God finds you, to lose yourself again in praise.” (from An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith)
* * *
Luke 11:1-13
Learning to Pray
Jesus teaches this prayer to his followers, in response to their request to learn how to pray. Another rabbi, Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso, has parallel advice about how to pray. Sasso says:
I don’t think it’s easy to pray, and I say that as the rabbi. I have forms that I can conform to and say, but what does it really mean to speak a prayer of your heart? But I do feel that it’s very important to pray with children, mostly, because our children are so bombarded with noise and activity and there’s very little time for silence and reflection. We do know that of all the questions that teachers ask children, teachers answer 80 percent of them, because we abhor vacuums, we don’t like silence. And I think in moments of quiet and silence, children give us a glimpse of their souls. So what would it mean, for example, at night when our children are going to bed to sit with them and reflect? And wouldn’t that also be a prayer?
Sasso adds:
And I think sometimes people say, ‘Well, really, we don’t know what to pray.’ And I often say, ‘Well, ask children if they would tell you a prayer from their heart.’ And then children are usually very clever and they say, ‘I don’t have one.’ So my response is, ‘Well, would you mind listening while I say a prayer from mine?’ And I think that provides an example of what does it mean to say deep words. I don’t think it has to conform to any traditional structure, although sometimes a traditional structure makes it easier.
All good prayers are prayers from the heart, as Jesus shows us here.
* * *
Luke 11:1-13
Ask and Receive
After Jesus teaches the disciples to pray, he adds some interesting commentary, including, “Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.” For any of us with unanswered prayers, this is puzzling.
After her husband and daughter were killed by a drunk driver, Paula D’Arcy says that her prayers changed, and she found herself asking for different things.
Prior to my loss, my prayers had been petitions for things I hoped to have or intercessions for others. Now my one prayer was, “Show me. Show me,” or, “Teach me how to see.” A guidance from within began transforming me through that prayer. I felt a sincere desire to help others realize what I had begun to realize — that in the times for which there are no easy answers and when your suffering is great, something from within is able to help you, and wants to help you. It called me forward, and once I gave it my full attention, even though my circumstances were unchanged, I was changing. As my heart continued to open, I saw everything through new eyes.
Ask and it will be given, Jesus says, and he’s tricky about what exactly will be given.
* * *
Luke 11:1-13
The Process of Asking
Jesus says, “Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.” Sometimes, asking is its own revelation; we learn and change through asking the questions.
An episode of This American Life talks about important questions people ask when getting to know each other. Ira Glass says he asked people about the questions they ask to dig deeper.
Kelsey in Minnesota asked her dates about their favorite Tom Hanks movies. She said he’s been in so many movies across multiple genres, the answer is kind of like a personality test. Toy Story, for example, tells her there is a stunted-adolescence thing going on…Sarah in Tampa said when she started to get a weird vibe, she’d ask, What’s your favorite conspiracy theory? Most people would keep their answers lighthearted, but occasionally, someone would go all in. One guy started talking all about Nazi separatists. She’s Jewish, so you know, kind of a deal breaker.
There are other kinds of questions, too, namely...
The kind of question that seemed covered in yellow caution tape and a sign that said, this is a trap. This one comes from Vivian in Iowa. After her husband died in 2016, she found herself back out on the dating scene. Her question on a date was, if your ex walked by right now with their new partner, what would you do? Which was her way of asking a much more interesting question — How [messed up] was your last relationship?
Questions reveal us to each other, ourselves, and to God.
* * * * * *
From team member Katy Stenta:Luke 11:1-13
As we pray, “Give us this day our daily bread,” it is a reminder not to store food away and to share what we have. Some of the food that was earmarked to be given to those in need is expiring. As such, the Trump administration plans to burn $800,000 worth of food. It will cost another $130,000 to destroy it. This is not directly because of cuts to USAID, but may be in tandem to it. Because of snarls in aid administration it has simply been sitting in storage. When we pray, “Give us this day our daily bread,” it is a powerful reminder that we do not need to hoard, but share what we have.
* * *
Genesis 18:20-32
God is the Lord of exceptions. We would like God to be all about punishment, giving punishment to entire cities, yet in the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham asks, “But what if there are a good portion of righteous?” Another translation of righteous is just people down there. If there are fifty people who love justice will you save it? God does not want perfection, God wants hope.
* * *
Psalm 138
In this time of AI, it is interesting to think of ourselves as the work of God’s hands. Recently, an AI bot Replit deleted a company’s database and then lied about it. For us humans who are fallible, we are always struggling with the fact that that we are Imago Dei, made in the image of God. We look to God to reclaim our divine image, to find truth, to be, as the psalm says, “strengthened.”
When my kids ask Alexa or Siri a question, I try to remind them that the robot, unlike humans, have no divine spark or creativity. Of course, I don’t put it that way, I just say “It’s a stupid robot, it can’t actually think, it can only repeat.” I say this as a person who tries not to say that humans are not stupid, because ableist insults are not honoring of the Imago Dei and designed to dehumanize one another. But robots — robots are not people — at least not in this world. (If you read or have watched the Murderbot science fiction series, that is another story.) Let us honor one another by claiming our creativity and be strengthened in our divine spark.
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From team member Nazish Naseem:Colossians 2:6-12
Rooted in Christ: The Journey from Seedling to Abundant Life
Consider the image of a loving gardener tenderly planting a tiny seedling in a well-prepared garden bed. This seedling, though small, is filled with immense potential. The gardener doesn’t just leave it to fend for itself; she lavishes it with care, watering it, enriching the soil with essential nutrients, and ensuring it basks in ample sunlight. As the roots delve deep into the soil, the seedling begins to grow, drawing strength and sustenance from its nurturing environment.
This nurturing process mirrors the message of Colossians 2:6-12, where Paul emphasizes that believers, like the seedling, must be rooted and built up in Christ. Just as the seed relies on the care of the gardener for its growth, Christians are called to continue in the faith they have received, developing a strong relationship with Jesus as their foundation. As the seedling grows, drawing strength and sustenance from its environment, so too do believers, drawing strength and sustenance from their relationship with Christ, gradually maturing in their faith.
Moreover, Paul highlights the importance of being established in faith and overflowing with gratitude, just as a healthy plant produces vibrant leaves and flowers. When believers immerse themselves in the teachings of Christ, they not only grow in knowledge but also in their ability to flourish and bear good fruit in their lives.
The passage also speaks of spiritual circumcision — the cutting away of the old self, akin to how the gardener may prune the roots to encourage stronger growth. Through baptism, believers symbolically participate in Christ’s death and resurrection, signifying a new beginning and a fresh start to a new life.
In this way, as the seedling thrives through the gardener’s attentive care, Christians grow and become mature in their faith, reflecting the love and grace of God to the world around them. They are reminded that just as the seedling has all it needs for growth, they too have all they require in Christ, who provides nourishment, strength, and the promise of eternal life. In Colossians 2:6-19, the Apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of living a life rooted in Christ and warns against being misled by false teachings. He begins by encouraging believers to continue in their faith, just as they received Christ through trust and commitment.
Paul uses the metaphor of being “rooted” and “built up” in Christ to illustrate the importance of deepening one’s relationship with him. As believers grow in their understanding of the faith, they are to remain steadfast and not be swayed by worldly philosophies or empty deceits that mimic truth but lack substance.
He further explains that in Christ, all the fullness of God dwells, and through him, believers have everything they need for spiritual life. The passage also highlights the significance of Christ’s sacrificial death, which has triumphed over all powers and authorities. Those who trust in him are forgiven and freed from the burden of the law.
Finally, Paul warns against the danger of legalism and asceticism, urging the Colossians not to be judged by external practices or traditions that do not reflect an authentic relationship with Christ. He stresses that true spirituality comes from holding fast to Christ, the head of the church, who nourishes and unites the body of believers.
Ultimately, the passage calls for a deep, personal faith that firmly rejects the distractions of false teachings, emphasizing the sufficiency of Christ in all aspects of life. In Christ, we find everything we need for our spiritual journey, and we can rest assured that we lack nothing when we are rooted in him.
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Colossians 2:13-19
Unlocking the Treasures of Grace: A Journey in Faith
Envision a grand estate with a magnificent door leading to its treasures. For years, this door was securely locked and the treasures inside — gold, jewels, and priceless art, remained out of reach. The owner desired to share these riches with those who truly valued them. One day, a skilled locksmith was summoned. With a few deft movements, he expertly picked the lock, unlocking the heavy door. The owner then swung the door open wide, allowing light to flood in and revealing the splendor that lay beyond. Those who entered were amazed by the treasures they had longed to see but had never been able to access.
This scene mirrors the message of Colossians 2:13-19. Paul describes humanity as being locked in sin, burdened by a debt that prevents them from experiencing the fullness of life that God desires for them. Because of sin, people are separated from the treasures of grace, forgiveness, and a relationship with God. However, through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, the ‘locked door’ of our sins has been opened. Paul explains that God made us alive in Christ, forgiving our transgressions and canceling the record of debt that stood against us. Just as the locksmith unlocked the door, Christ triumphed over the powers of sin and death, breaking the chains that held us captive.
Moreover, Paul warns against returning to the ways and judgments of the world, which often resemble old, outdated practices that lead us away from the true treasures found in Christ. He urges believers not to be distracted by empty philosophies or legalistic rules that seek to impose a burden rather than a blessing. Just as those who enter the grand estate are enriched by the treasures within, believers who embrace the freedom and fullness of life in Christ can enjoy every spiritual blessing.
They are invited to partake in a relationship with God, fulfilling their purpose and experiencing true joy. In summary, Colossians 2:13-19 illustrates that through Christ, the door to spiritual riches has been opened for all, inviting us to embrace our new life in Jesus and to avoid the distractions that seek to draw us away from the true source of our joy and fulfillment.
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Hosea 1:2-10
Love Beyond Betrayal: Hosea’s Message of Redemption
In Hosea 1:2-10, we encounter a profound illustration of love, betrayal, and redemption. God commands the prophet Hosea to marry Gomer, a woman who will be unfaithful, symbolizing Israel’s infidelity to God. This marriage serves as a powerful metaphor for God’s relationship with his people, a love that is constant despite their unfaithfulness. Just as Hosea’s love for Gomer remains unchanged despite her unfaithfulness, God’s love for Israel endures even in the face of their betrayal.
Hosea’s children are named with deep significance: the first, Jezreel, signifies impending judgment due to the bloodshed in the valley of Jezreel; the second, Lo-Ruhamah, means “not loved,” reflecting Israel’s estrangement from God’s affections; and the third, Lo-Ammi, translates to “not my people,” highlighting the broken bond between God and Israel. These names not only reflect the prophet’s personal experience but also serve as a powerful commentary on Israel’s relationship with God, enlightening us and deepening our knowledge of the biblical narrative.
Yet, even amidst these dire pronouncements, verse 10 holds a glimmer of hope, declaring that the Israelites will be as numerous as the sand by the sea, suggesting a future redemption and restoration. This passage not only reveals the heartbreak of betrayal but also emphasizes God’s unwavering desire to restore his people, filling us with a sense of optimism and encouragement for the future.
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Psalm 85
A Plea for Restoration: Longing for Divine Mercy in Psalm 85
The psalmist, with a heart full of earnestness, begins by recalling God’s past favor toward the people of Israel, celebrating how God forgave their sins and turned away his wrath. This remembrance sets the tone for the rest of the psalm, which is a profound request for renewed mercy.
As the psalm unfolds, the writer expresses a deep, intense yearning for peace and salvation. The imagery evokes a sense of longing for closeness with God, suggesting that true peace can only come from him. The psalmist asks God to restore the fortunes of the land, underscoring the desire for redemption not only on a personal level but also for the entire community.
The latter part of the psalm emphasizes hope, as it notes the potential for righteousness and peace to coexist. There’s a beautiful passage that speaks of God’s steadfast love, which is always present, and a promise that salvation is near for those who fear him.
In the closing verses, the psalm anticipates a future where God’s goodness will manifest in the land, blending mercy and truth. It’s a powerful reminder of the interwoven nature of divine love and human responsibility, ultimately conveying that genuine repentance and faith make restoration possible.
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WORSHIPby George Reed
Call to Worship
One: Will you not revive us again, so that your people may rejoice in you?
All: Show us your steadfast love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation.
One: Then steadfast love and faithfulness will meet.
All: Righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
One: Faithfulness will spring up from the ground.
All: Righteousness will look down from the sky.
OR
One: Christ calls us into the realm where God’s will is done.
All: We long to live under God’s reign of love and grace.
One: To enter this realm we must live its values.
All: We see how far we are from mirroring Christ’s life.
One: Now is the time to turn to God and be changed.
All: We offer ourselves to God’s Reign today and always.
Hymns and Songs
Praise, My Soul, the King/God of Heaven
UMH: 66
H82: 410
PH: 620
GTG: 619
CH: 23
LBW: 549
ELW: 864/865
W&P: 82
AMEC: 70
Renew: 53
Holy God, We Praise Thy Name
UMH: 79
H82: 366
PH: 460
GTG: 4
NNBH: 13
NCH: 276
LBW: 535
ELW: 414
W&P: 138
O God, Our Help in Ages Past
UMH: 117
H82: 680
AAHH: 170
NNBH: 46
NCH: 25
CH: 67
LBW: 320
ELW: 632
W&P: 84
AMEC: 61
STLT: 281
Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above
UMH: 126
H82: 408
PH: 483
GTG: 645
NCH: 6
CH: 6
W&P: 56
Renew: 52
Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken
UMH: 731
H82: 522/523
PH: 446
GTG: 81
NNBH: 426
NCH: 307
CH: 709
LBW: 358
ELW: 647
W&P: 598
AMEC: 521
Come, We That Love the Lord/Marching to Zion
UMH: 732/733
H82: 392
AAHH: 590
NNBH: 367
NCH: 379/382
CH: 707
ELW: 625
W&P: 67
AMEC: 520
O God of Every Nation
UMH: 435
H82: 607
PH: 289
GTG: 756
CH: 680
LBW: 416
ELW: 713
W&P: 626
I Am Thine, O Lord
UMH: 419
AAHH: 387
NNBH: 202
NCH: 455
CH: 601
W&P: 408
AMEC: 283
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
UMH: 626
H82: 324
PH: 5
GTG: 347
NCH: 345
CH: 124
LBW: 198
ELW: 490
W&P: 232
Renew: 229
One Bread, One Body
UMH: 620
GTG: 530
CH: 393
ELW: 496
W&P: 689
CCB: 49
The Steadfast Love of the Lord
CCB: 28
Renew: 23
They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love
CCB: 78
GTG: 300
Music Resources Key:
UMH: United Methodist Hymnal
H82: The Hymnal 1982
PH: Presbyterian Hymnal
GTG: Glory to God, The Presbyterian Hymnal
AAHH: African American Heritage Hymnal
NNBH: The New National Baptist Hymnal
NCH: The New Century Hymnal
CH: Chalice Hymnal
LBW: Lutheran Book of Worship
ELW: Evangelical Lutheran Worship
W&P: Worship & Praise
AMEC: African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal
STLT: Singing the Living Tradition
CCB: Cokesbury Chorus Book
Renew: Renew! Songs & Hymns for Blended Worship
Prayer for the Day/Collect
O God who created all in unity and love:
Grant us the grace to truly seek your reign
so you will can be done on earth as in heaven;
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
OR
We praise you, O God, because you are the one who created all that is in unity and love. Your fingerprint is on all creation. Help us to work to bring about your will here on earth even as it is done in heaven. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
One: Let us confess to God and before one another our sins and especially our failure to follow your plan for us and all creation.
All: We confess to you, O God, and before one another that we have sinned. You have shown us your will for us. You have called us into a loving relationship with you that spills over into loving relationships with all your children. But we have not listened. Instead we have sought to push and shove others aside so that we can gain more and more of what you intended us to share. We have raised up an idol and it is our own appetite. Forgive us our selfish, mean ways and renew your Spirit within us. Call us once more into your Reign. Amen.
One: God is always seeking to bring us home. Welcome God’s gracious invitation to live in the kin_dom of God and welcome others in Christ’s name.
Prayers of the People
We worship and adore you, O God of love and unity. As you dwell in perfect harmony within the Trinity, you call us to join you.
(The following paragraph may be used if a separate prayer of confession has not been used.)
We confess to you, O God, and before one another that we have sinned. You have shown us your will for us. You have called us into a loving relationship with you that spills over into loving relationships with all your children. But we have not listened. Instead we have sought to push and shove others aside so that we can gain more and more of what you intended us to share. We have raised up an idol and it is our own appetite. Forgive us our selfish, mean ways and renew your Spirit within us. Call us once more into your reign.
We give you thanks for creating us in your image and likeness. We are blessed to given your own life in our life. Your love sparkles and shines through all that you created. We thank you for those who have chosen to live under your reign and have shown us what true life is all about. We thank you for Jesus who was willing to go to the cross to teach us about the kin-dom you created for us.
(Other thanksgivings may be offered.)
We pray for one another in our need. We remember those who suffer because we have not lived as you call us to live. We lift up with tears those who suffer because of greed and power lust. We pray for those who have no daily bread when your earth provides enough for all.
(Other intercessions may be offered.)
Hear us as we pray for others: (Time for silent or spoken prayer.)
All these things we ask in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ who taught us to pray saying:
Our Father....Amen.
(Or if the Our Father is not used at this point in the service.)
All this we ask in the name of the blessed and Holy Trinity. Amen.
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CHILDREN’S SERMONOur Daily Bread
by Dean Feldmeyer
Luke 11:1-13
One-Day, Nutritious Menu for a Moderately Active 7-Year-Old (Based on approximately 1,600 calories per day.)
Includes all nutritional requirements from all required food groups.
Breakfast
- 1 cup plain oatmeal made with low-fat milk
- Small sliced banana on top
- 6 oz. glass of water or diluted orange juice
Morning Snack
- ½ medium apple, sliced
- A small ¾ inch cube of cheddar cheese
Lunch
- 2 oz. turkey and 1 oz. cheese sandwich on whole wheat bread
- 6 Baby carrots
- A few whole grain crackers
- Water
Afternoon Snack
- ½ cup low-fat yogurt (plain or vanilla)
- 10 small pretzel sticks
Dinner
- 3 oz. baked boneless/skinless chicken breast
- ½ cup steamed broccoli
- ½ cup brown rice
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup of unsweetened applesauce
Prepare one meal from this menu or, even the entire menu if you can arrange it and place it before the children with the flourish of a French maître d. Short of that, create one of the meals and take a picture of it to project on the screen or print it and blow it up so all can see it.
Say: Mmmm! Doesn’t that look delicious! I bet you can’t wait to dig into that for (breakfast, lunch, or whichever you choose.) No? This doesn’t look delicious to you? Well, it’s really all you need to stay healthy, you know. If you ate this every day for (breakfast, lunch, dinner, whatever) and exercised a little bit, you’d be as healthy as you need to be.
So you don’t really need more than this. But I bet you’d like to have more than this, though, right? You would want more than this. Yeah, me too.
You know, when Jesus was teaching his disciples how to pray, he taught them that they must know the difference between what they want and what they need and when we ask God for something we should make sure it’s what we need, and not just what we want.
“Give us this day our daily bread,” he said. That is, give us what we need for today. Not for tomorrow or this week or this year. Just for today. We don’t ask God to give us everything we want, just what we need.
End with a prayer thanking God for providing us with what we need.
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The Immediate Word, July 27, 2025 issue.
Copyright 2025 by CSS Publishing Company, Inc., Lima, Ohio.
All rights reserved. Subscribers to The Immediate Word service may print and use this material as it was intended in sermons and in worship and classroom settings only. No additional permission is required from the publisher for such use by subscribers only. Inquiries should be addressed to or to Permissions, CSS Publishing Company, Inc., 5450 N. Dixie Highway, Lima, Ohio 45807.
