Calm, Unfazed, and Focused

17th Sunday of Ordinary Time; Luke 11:1-13

Rabbi, teach us to pray

Watching Olympic athletes is inspiring to me. In particular, watching the gymnasts, I am always amazed when I see them warming up and using the skill of visualization to prepare for a routine. They stand in one spot, and using their hands and arms, they see themselves moving through each step of their performance. They are calm, unfazed by the crowd noise, and totally focused on what they have been working hard to present. Regardless of their scores, they have done what they trained to do and can hold their heads high.

It has been pointed out many times that Jesus prepared himself to do hard work too. His preparation was to go off alone and to pray. Before he began his formal ministry, the Bible tells us he went into the desert to pray. Before delivering the Sermon on the Mount, he went off and prayed. But it wasn’t just the big events he prepared for. He prayed constantly and unceasingly.

In this Gospel passage, Jesus has returned to camp from time in prayer. The disciples, said to him, “Jesus, you keep going off to pray all the time. Can you teach us how to pray like that?” (Or words to that effect.) Jesus willingly complied and taught them what we now call The Lord’s Prayer.

I heard a conversation once that included a Jewish Rabbi, as well as a Catholic priest and a Protestant professor. They were discussing the Lord’s Prayer. The rabbi said that, in the first century, each rabbi had a way of praying that was unique to himself. They taught, not specific words, but a formula on how to pray. So, been though we recite The Lord’s Prayer verbatim today, it’s likely that Jesus really didn’t intend for us to do so.

If I use The Lord’s Prayer as a formula to pray, I will pray little bit differently every time I do pray. But I’ll always begin by acknowledging God as creator and Christ. I ask myself, how have I helped bring the world its daily bread? Children are literally starving in Gaza and in Sudan. Have I done anything today to help them?

There are people being jailed and deported in my own country without due process. There are people losing their jobs because they are the wrong color, the wrong sex, or the wrong orientation. I have to ask forgiveness for my sin of not doing enough to advocate for them.

There are people I know, and some I do not know, who have caused me to be unkind in word or deed to them. As much as I may not want to, I have to ask forgiveness of them and work harder not to be immoderate.

This world offers more things, gadgets and do-dads, than I really need. I look around and see others living a lifestyle that I may wish I could too with their constant trips, clothes, and bling. I pray that I can be happy for them and not be discontented with the many things I already own.

Jesus, teach me to pray. And to pray without ceasing. [1 Thes. 5:17] Then help me to act on those prayers to bring your reign to this world today in a real and tangible way. Help me to be calm, unfazed by the crowd noise, and totally focused on what I am called to do.

Every Day.

© 2025 by Timothy J. Doppel

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