“Apocalyptic language,” says Eugene Peterson, “is a language for breaking open awareness of the tremendous energies of good and evil contending with one another beneath the apparently benign skin of the ordinary.” It is this type of imagination shocking language which precedes Jesus’ parable on persistent prayer (see Luke 17:20-18:8). Our persistent ‘cry to him day and night’ is less of a demand for God to do what He ‘speedily’ delights to do, but a cultivating of urgency in the ordinary. Praying that fosters ‘faith on earth’ that realizes the “Kingdom is what is going on all the time, whether we are aware of it or not.”
So, let us join in the prayer of the saints, “How long, O Lord?” until our faith sees His working justice everywhere around us—and through us: ‘behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.’ (Lk. 17:21).
The following prayer is adapted from the Tell It Slant study guide.
Father who reveals. You have shown us yourself—your character, your actions, your heart—in your Scripture, and most clearly, in your Son. And yet, your persistent revelation is often quiet, subtle, almost impercievable amid the noises of all that opposes. Admittedly, in the apparent quietness has us wondering at times if you are listening, if you are good, if you will act.
Shock our imagination! Light up the sky, like lightening flashing from one side of the horizon to the other! Awaken our hearts to the eternal in our midst, that we might see your kingdom and hear your thundering (if still and quiet) voice, and never give up praying to you until faith is sight.
We pray this in the name of Lamb who was slain, who lived and lives and will come again. Amen.