Seventh Sunday after Pentecost • Year C

Historical Collect

O God, your almighty power is most clearly shown in your mercy and pity. Multiply your grace that we may run to your promises and be made to share in your heavenly joy; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. He lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Gelasian Sacramentary, 7th Century)

Thematic Collect

Heavenly Father, you wait with love and delight for us to open our hearts and lives to you in prayer. Lavish us with your presence; teach us to call upon you at all times in praise, thanksgiving, and need; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen.

The Common Thread

Even after the Lord had visited Abraham, then went toward Sodom, Abraham continued to worship him, particularly through prayers of intercession. As he and his family faced imminent trouble, the Lord increased his strength of soul to the point that he could still give thanks and pray. Our souls are strengthened when we turn to God in prayer. Being established in faith, holding fast to Christ, we are able to ask, seek, and knock, believing that his Father will answer our prayers, and give us still more than we might have asked: the Holy Spirit.

First Reading • Genesis 18:17-19 (20-33)

In spite of all of Abraham’s blessings, his life was troubled. He had no child, no heir. Furthermore, his nephew lived in a morally oppressive land. On both matters, Abraham cried out to the Lord. On both, he was heard. Even in their old age, he and Sarah would have a son. The wicked and filthy were swept away as well. Additionally, all the nations of the earth would be blessed in him (v18). God answered Abraham’s prayers and desires beyond the scope of his asking. Who knows the effects our prayers may have?

Psalm • Psalm 138:1-8

David gives thanks despite his troubles. We do not know with any certainty what those specific troubles were at the time he wrote this Psalm but we know that he was troubled. Besides the troubles he brought upon himself, there were also angry King Saul and would-be conquerors. Yet, in the midst of all his troubles, David thanks the Lord, admitting that his name and his word are above all things, including his troubles. With David, we too can say that the memory of God and his promises are enough to sustain us on the worst of days.

Second Reading • Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19)

It is imperative that we always remember the blessings that we have in Christ. It is far too easy to think of what we do not have (or rather, the things we want to have) instead of to be thankful for what we do have. And we have everything since we have Christ! Since you have received Christ, live your lives in him. Remember your rootedness and that you are being built up (or growing) in him. Continue in the faith by being faithful—even in difficult times.

The cares and complaints of this world can beguile us so we must see to it that we are captivated by Christ. The best way to do so is to bring to mind daily that we are baptized into Christ and his death. Therefore, by the power of God, we have been raised with him by faith. We live in such faith so we must keep it to the end (2 Tim 4:7). It is easier to do so by recalling the apostle’s reminder that any complaint religion and culture has against you has been nailed to the cross.

Gospel • Luke 11:1-13

The disciples wanted to know how to pray. No doubt their times were as complicated and troubled as our own and they wanted to get through to God. So, they asked Jesus to teach them. His response must have been arresting, for his example of prayer was so brief, so simple. Yet in that simple prayer was all that a prayer needs to be: praise, confession, and long term and immediate petitions. As to petition, he told two stories to embolden his disciples’ prayers. In essence, if you persist, you will be heard, and since your earthly parent gives you what you ask, you may expect your heavenly Father to do even more. So, “ask and it will be given to you!”