"Is God Listening?" - Luke 18:1-8 - October 18, 1998

Recently a high-ranking member of congress told the media that he was not interested in what the polls indicated concerning the wishes of the American people. He said, "We are not here to listen to what people may be telling pollsters, we are here to honor the constitution." I wondered, what happened to, "by the people, for the people, of the people?" I always believed our representatives in congress were the voice of the people that elected them. How else can they give leadership unless they are listening?

This is a story about a judge, another elected official, who did not have time for the needs of a poor, powerless widow. She needed an advocate to give her aid in her poverty and basically permission to exist. Only he was not listening. He was wrapped up in his legalism and most likely giving his attention to those in power. Jesus said, "he neither feared God or regarded man (people)." He had no compassion for this poor widow and was not a person of faith. He was completely deaf to this widow’s plight.

How unfortunate it is when people in positions of power do not listen to the needs of the people they serve. We don’t have to look very far to find some elected official who is more concerned with his or her position than the welfare of the people. But, casting stones at people in positions of authority is not the message that Jesus gives us here. Besides all of us at some time or another abuse our positions. We may take advantage of a co-worker. We may dominate our spouse and give them no voice in major decisions. We may be a rigid, inflexible parent who is insensitive to the needs of our children. The possibilities are endless.

In this story Jesus makes a contrast between the judge, who finally gave in to the widow’s cry for help, with God who is always ready to respond. Others may not be listening, but God is. God is listening day and night. Unlike the judge who helped the widow just to get rid of her, God is always available when we have need.

The widow was persistent in her plea to the judge for mercy. She did not quit or give up. Often times we give up since no response comes. We assume that since there is no change that God has rejected our cry for help. The faithful cry out to God because they know God listens. God is tuned in to our needs, 24 hours a day. God is capable of hearing all requests, no matter how ludicrous they may seem. God is not limited to a few voices. God hears all, even the powerless. I have a book in my office written by Charles Peckham. The title of the book is, "I Can Still Pray." The major tenet of the book is that the elderly, who often believe they are powerless and without resources, can still pray to God. In other words, they have one very vital resource to use while most others have gone.

I know what you are thinking. If God is listening why doesn’t God respond to my prayers? When we are determined like the widow, who pestered the judge until he gave in, why doesn’t God respond when we are persistent in our pleas for help?

Notice that while Jesus says his followers, "ought to pray" he also raises a question. "Will God find faith on earth?" Prayer is not wishful thinking. Prayer is not a one time request. Prayer is a way of life which includes active participation.

In Dayton their is a news anchor woman who has recently written a book called, "Failure is not an Option," Donna Jordan tells the story of how she was filled with worry, envy, and self doubt. She kept comparing herself to a classmate named, Joan Lukey. Every time she reached a goal she had only to discover that Joan reached it before her. Finally, she had to accept that God’s response to her was not that she should be better than her colleague, but that she could only do the very best with her own life. To reach her goals in life, Jordan wrote, "One must have great faith, unshakable belief in themselves and a relationship with God."

When God doesn’t give us the answer we want we think that God is not listening. God is not like a mail order catalog where we pick something we want and order it. God responds in a way that will lead us to peace and wholeness. God will respond but God’s response to us is not always what we want. When we pray to God we are acknowledging our dependence on God, therefore accepting God’s response, whatever form it may take.

I have been following the playoffs, leading up to the world series. In sports I always want the underdog to win. I was praying for the Sand Diego Padres to beat Atlanta. They won the first three games and only needed one more win to advance to the World Series. But, they lost games 5 and 6. I thought they should have at least won their last game in Sand Diego so the fans could celebrate. During game 6 I could see the hope in the eyes of fans as the camera panned the stadium. It was intense and I wanted them to realize their dream. But they lost and had to return to Atlanta to complete the series. They won, but there were few fans to celebrate. I thought to myself, God answered my prayer and let the underdog win, but God did it God’s way, not mine.

When we don’t get what we want we may be angry at God. Faith means we accept the response God gives. Sometimes it makes no sense. Other times it seems unfair. And sometimes we are disappointed. Someone once asked Mother Teresa how she could continue to work so hard knowing in her heart that there is no real chance of succeeding in her fight against poverty. She answered, "We are not called to be successful; we are called to be faithful."

It is my experience that we don’t believe God is always listening because we see no immediate or visible response. Most of the time God responds with a "presence" not presents. The presence of God is not always easily recognized, usually because we are looking in the wrong places.

Of course to ask if God is listening is preposterous. God is always listening. That is a given. The real question is, are we listening? Are we listening to the powerless people of our day who are waiting for someone to give them aid? Are we responding when people around us are trying to get our attention? Are we listening with clear and open minds or do our self desires block out the sounds that seek us? When we are listening, God is using us as an God’s antennas, compassionately receiving voices that cry out for help and hope. The more open our ears, the more open the channels of communication and the messages of love.

Dr. Keith Wagner, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Sidney, Ohio