Prayer, the Flu and the Fiscal Cliff

• Posted on sdgale
• in 'CHOP Talk' Blog
• on January 14, 2013
• Comments Off on Prayer, the Flu and the Fiscal Cliff

“When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8)

I used to think that was a rhetorical question by our Lord, but now I’m not so sure.  Jesus made that statement at the conclusion of the parable of the persistent widow (or parable of the unjust judge, depending on your vantage point).  Jesus’ point in the story was to illustrate that His disciples “should always pray and not give up” (Luke 18:1).

How does Jesus’ conclusion to the parable relate to the reason He gave it.  I may have the answer.

As I write this, the country is in the midst of a raging flu season.  Flu outbreaks started earlier than usual.  The illness has spread across 47 states thus far. Several strains have proven virile and rampant, knocking people off their feet like dominoes.

Medical advisories have gone out emphasizing precautions such as flu shots and compulsive hand washing.  Those who have contracted the flu are urged to wait until their symptoms abate before venturing into public, particularly waiting until they are without fever for 24 hours.

The flu (that cannot be seen) is recognized by its symptoms (that can be seen, and heard, and felt).  The symptoms attest to the sickness.

I think that’s what Jesus is getting at.  One of the symptoms of virile faith is persevering prayer.  Lack of prayer suggests absence of faith (or its application; cf. Luke 8:25; Mark 9:24).

Now, let’s think about the current state of the church.  How prominent do we see prayer in the daily discipline of professing believers? In our homes? In our fellowships?  How natural is prayer the reflex to society’s ills?

Our nation is plunging off the moral cliff (which offers a far steeper drop than any fiscal cliff).  What do we do about it?  We vote. We form PACs.  We rally the troops through organization, websites and Facebook pages.  All potentially valuable things to do.

But do we pray?  Do we rush to the throne of grace, where we put it in park to plead with the Almighty in prayer? Do we stand in the breech, crying out as intercessors to our God, giving God no rest for the welfare of His church and its influence (Isaiah 62:6-7)?  Are things we do decided in prayer, bathed in prayer and supported in prayer?

Do we seek our God for what only He can do? Or, do we ask God to bless our humanly-initiated efforts instead of engaging in a means He promises to bless? Or do we do nothing at all?  “Why bother?,” we tell ourselves believing nothing will change or God’s going to do what God’s going to do.

If I could press the flu-fever metaphor… judging by the symptom of prayer does it seem like we are getting over the virus of faith?  That’s where Jesus’ question is so haunting.

I’m still convinced that Jesus will find faith on the earth when He returns. He is building His church and the gates of hell will not prevail against that kingdom building project.

But I think I’m getting His point about persevering prayer relating to virulent faith.  May our God bountifully pour out upon us a spirit of grace and supplication. Let us so pray!