Often we do not know how to pray though we feel a desperate need to do so. Here are a few scriptural encouragements that cry out to the only one who holds the answers
In the sermon on the mount Jesus gave us a pattern for prayer. While some question whether its closing verse is part of the original, Solomon prayed with almost the same words more than one thousand years earlier. May it continue to be our own petition till heaven’s kingdom and will indeed are done on earth.
And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. Luke 7:37-38 ESV
Luke doesn’t try to put a positive spin on the fact that this woman was a sinner. Actually, this story hinges on the sinfulness of the woman and the grace of God. Many of us are like this woman except that we wear 21st century clothes. What has not changed is that we have exactly the same problem. If we follow this woman’s example, we will find that Jesus has exactly the same solution!
Are we willing to go into the Pharisees house and put ourselves in a vulnerable position before Jesus Christ? Are we ready to go into a place where we might be criticized, ostracized or tossed out? This woman came and wasted no time going to Jesus. She must have decided that if she was going to be tossed out at least she would have time to pour out her alabaster flask. Yet as she drew close to Jesus something unexpected happened. She began to weep for her sins and the tears fell on His feet. Then seeing the tears coursing through the dust on His feet she knelt and began to wipe them with her hair and kissed them and anointed them with her oil. She might not have understood what was happening and the Pharisee certainly had no clue. The throne of grace is an awesome place. We never know what will happen when we get there. What we can know is that when we get there Jesus is ready to receive us and forgive our every sin!
His hands wide open Stretched to hold Kind Joseph’s calloused palm Then reached to grasp sweet Mary’s hair That was gently hanging down Hands that multiplied five loaves Held a child in their embrace Lifted a man to walk again Then touched a leper’s face Hands that shared the wine and bread And washed our dirty feet Were nailed wide open on the Cross Their work for us complete Hands Wide Open by Peter Caligiuri Copyright 2022 all rights reserved
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