September 12, 2026
The Saving Lord of History
Why has the world become such a heavy burden? We can’t simply blame the media. I suspect that while we become more informed about the world, we become less transformed by the living Christ. The strategy of the power of evil is to make us think of life as a huge stack of very complicated issues, too many to respond to, too complex to understand, and too frustrating to deal with. The more entangled we become in issues the harder it is to recognize Jesus as the saving Lord of history.
As long as issues dominate our lives, whether they are Third World issues, hunger issues, nuclear issues, or women’s issues, we cannot pray. Prayer is not directed to issues; it is not meant to unravel complexities or solve problems. Prayer is directed to a personal God who loves us and hears us: it is a cry from heart to heart, from spirit to spirit.
And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.
- Matthew 6: 5-7
Reflection Question: What issues or concerns tend to occupy your thoughts so much that they become a burden and make it difficult for you to connect to God? How can you shift your focus?
