Friends, Conversations & Prayer

Scripture

John’s two disciples found Jesus and said to him, “John the Baptist sent us to ask, ‘Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?’” At that very time, Jesus cured many people of their diseases, illnesses, and evil spirits, and he restored sight to many who were blind. Then he told John’s disciples, “Go back to John and tell him what you have seen and heard—the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.” And he added, “God blesses those who do not fall away because of me. (Luke 7:20-23 NLT)

Friends, Conversations & Prayer

Two friends sat with me on our deck in the late afternoon sun. Nachos, drinks and steaks fuelled a wide-ranging conversation about how our grandkids will shape their faith, concerns for friends and questions about what of our understanding of Jesus had changed over the decades we have known one another. While Jesus has stayed at the centre, we have jettisoned some things and added much – and doubts about some things are also near the surface.

Noodling around a story from Jesus’ life let me see that conversation not just among three but among four. John the Baptist is in prison, knows his time is limited, and wonders out loud to his ministry team “Have I been pointing people in the right direction? Was Jesus “the One?” They take his question to Jesus, and he gives a simple answer “Look at the fruit of my work and words.” They return to reassure him.

Maybe we pray without knowing it and friends bring answers back to keep us encouraged. When I look at the twisted expressions of the faith shaping so much of our angry political and social discourse I have to ask my friends “If this is the fruit of so much of what we believed all these years and it  is so far from the character of Jesus, what do we really need to believe to serve him in peace and justice?”

We believe that Jesus is present in us all individually and when we are together. It is easy to forget that he participates in our conversations with friends and wise counsellors – a form of unwitting but powerful prayer. Our concerns for loved ones, our doubts about how we have spent our time get embraced in conversation that includes Jesus by his Spirit. And our friends are messengers of hope and truth.

A Prayer for Today

O God who is powerfully but humbly present in our lives, we give you thanks but also ask your forgiveness for how we so often miss you in our engagements with the world and with those who come across our path. Thank you for being present when we honestly talk about fears, doubts, and concerns with trusted friends. Help us see that you have always encouraged this and engage us. Let us be true friends of yours and one another in courage and humility …. For Jesus’ sake