You could be forgiven for thinking that last week's gospel reading, Luke 18: 1- 8, the parable of the unjust judge, implied that if you annoy God enough he will answer your prayer. After all, that is what the widow does. However, having thought about it a bit and, admittedly, consulted some commentaries, the parable is really about what God is not like. The rhetorical questions that Jesus asks confirms this.'Will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night?" The rhetorical answer being 'yes'. 'Will he delay in helping them?" The rhetorical answer being 'no'. Jesus goes on to say that God 'will quickly grant justice to them'. Then Jesus follows this with another rhetorical question: 'And yet, when the Son of Man comes will he find faith on earth?' Jesus gives no answer, but my guess he hopes we will say 'yes'. The faith he is looking for is that we see God as generous, gracious and quick to grant justice; not the grumpy, stingy God of so many people's views.
Who is the God you pray to?
Chris
