Faith Daily | 15 May 2021

PRAYER of the DAY - EASTER SIX APBA p514

Eternal God,

whose Son Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life:

grant that we may walk in his way,

rejoice in his truth,

and share his risen life;

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

Amen

GOSPEL for the Day: John 16:23-28

23On that day you will ask nothing of me.* Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.* 24Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.

25 ‘I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures, but will tell you plainly of the Father. 26On that day you will ask in my name. I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; 27for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.* 28I came from the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and am going to the Father.’

GOSPEL Reflection: Contributed by Mary Dean

In this passage, we might be inclined to focus on the promise of Jesus that we will be given anything we ask for in his name, and we might feel discouraged. I have often experienced praying over and over for something and not seen the result that I’m hoping for from my prayers. But let’s instead focus on the truth that Jesus shares with us here, which is this: the Father loves us. If I sit quietly and allow this thought to enter into my heart it can transform my thoughts to realise that God is in control and He longs for us to communicate with Him.

Sometimes our prayers are answered very directly. Even when this appears not to happen, no prayer, like no act in love, is wasted. The true gift of prayer is always the Father's love, given to us no matter what we ask for. Perhaps now my prayer can take a different form. Knowing that the Father loves me, maybe I can bring my concerns to him without dictating how they are to be solved? Perhaps I can place them in this loving Father’s care, and leave them there? Father, I let go of my desire for security, for control, and I open my heart to your loving presence and action within me.

In prayer, we can directly approach God in Jesus’ name.

We need not worry about what we will say, or what language we will use. What matters is that we pray. Inspired by God, the prophet Isaiah wrote, “Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear" (Isaiah 65:24 NIV). Isaiah urges us to “Seek the Lord while he may be found, call on him while he is near” (Isaiah 55:6 NIV).

Jesus speaks of joy - there is nothing more that God wants for us than our true happiness – the fullness of joy for us. (John 16:24)

FINAL PRAYER: Rev'd David Dean

Heavenly Father,

your love knows no bounds

and your mercies are new every day.

Fill us with gratitude for your countless blessings

and draw us near to your throne of grace and mercy.

Give us confidence and boldness to pray

that your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Amen