Are there days when you ask God, “Will I ever learn who is in control?” I remember when I am praying for things that I know I do not have the power to make happen – Suzie to get well, the wars to end, or the sun to shine. It is those things I do have some control over that give me trouble.

Even as I sit at the computer I want to write something that will inspire others. It takes a moment to remember that it is God who inspires me and the people reading this.

In Luke we read of the man pulling down his grain bins to build larger ones. He is planning to relax and enjoy himself. But he will die before his new bins are built. Is he greedy? Does he think that he grew all the grain by his own power?

Maybe one of the things the parable is saying is that we are not in control. We never know what will happen next. But we can develop an attitude of gratitude for all of the things we have been given by God and by our own hard work. In the parable the man has the health to do the work and the favorable weather for the crops as gifts. Do we thank God for our gifts?

At times I find it helpful to stop and examine my prayers for the day and my attitude. What percent of my prayer was begging and what percent was thanking? How many times did I see God’s action in my life and say a quick thank you? That practice helps me to keep my priorities straight and to adjust my prayer and attitude as necessary.

I think we all like to be around grateful people – people who express their gratitude to us for what we have done and people who have a positive outlook on life. If we can express our gratitude to God then it becomes easier for us to notice the goodness of those around us and to express our gratitude to them also.

Seeing and being grateful are exercises that help me to counter my need for control. They remind me of the reality the God is in control.

In reading the Gospel for this Sunday we find these words: “Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.” One can only imagine how many times his disciples saw Jesus praying. What thoughts went through their minds? What questions did they ask one another?

As we continue reading Jesus gave them the beautiful prayer we refer to as “The Lord’s Prayer”. As one prays it slowly one cannot help but reflect on all it contains. Each phrase, as written by Luke for his community in the 80’s, reflects that those early believers prayed for bread, forgiveness and strength to deal with evil. These words were based on the lived experience of the church at that time.

Luke’s including Jesus’ story of a friend’s persistent knocking at midnight gives something to think about. If we are willing to “be bothered” by a friend’s request, maybe at an inopportune time, how much more is God ready to attend to our “persistent” prayers.

Luke also includes these comforting words from Jesus: “And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” And what greater answer to prayer than the final words of today’s Gospel: “…how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”

Some questions to ask ourselves this week:

*How willing am I to “be bothered” to serve others?

*How faithful am I to prayer?

*How thankful am I for answered prayers?