Praying with Hutzpah
Friday- 03.11.2016
Today's parable is a short parable. Many of us might not know this parable, but most of us will be familiar with Jesus' statement at the parable's conclusion. It follows immediately after the Lord's Prayer in Luke's gospel. Let's look at the parable together (I have chosen Eugene Peterson's translation):
Then he said, “Imagine what would happen if you went to a friend in the middle of the night and said, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread. An old friend traveling through just showed up, and I don’t have a thing on hand.’ The friend answers from his bed, ‘Don’t bother me. The door’s locked; my children are all down for the night; I can’t get up to give you anything.’ But let me tell you, even if he won’t get up because he’s a friend, if you stand your ground, knocking and waking all the neighbors,
he’ll finally get up and get you whatever you need.
Here’s what I’m saying:
Ask and you’ll get;
Seek and you’ll find;
Knock and the door will open."
–Luke 11:5-9 (The Message)
Most of the writing concerning this parable revolves around one Greek word 'anaideia'. In the above translation, Peterson translates this word as 'stand your ground.' Traditionally, this word has been translated as 'importunity'. One of the best translations of this word is found in the Complete Jewish Bible, where it is translated using the Yiddish word 'if you show hutzpah'.
Why is this such an important word in this parable? Jesus is telling his apostles that believers are to boldly pray for the things that God has promised. Notice the way I said that- I don't think Jesus is telling us to pray for whatever we want. In the context of the Lord's Prayer, I believe Jesus is telling us to be bold when it comes to the things His Father has promised.
At times, we seem afraid to pray to God as an intimate friend- much less to pray with hutzpah, nerve, or boldness. However, if you read through the lament Psalms or the book of Job, you will see great biblical examples of this type of prayer (Psalm 5 is a great example).
I hope we read this parable and are encouraged. Encouraged to pray with boldness. Encouraged to know that God does hear our prayers. Encouraged to pray, "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."
Then he said, “Imagine what would happen if you went to a friend in the middle of the night and said, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread. An old friend traveling through just showed up, and I don’t have a thing on hand.’ The friend answers from his bed, ‘Don’t bother me. The door’s locked; my children are all down for the night; I can’t get up to give you anything.’ But let me tell you, even if he won’t get up because he’s a friend, if you stand your ground, knocking and waking all the neighbors,
he’ll finally get up and get you whatever you need.
Here’s what I’m saying:
Ask and you’ll get;
Seek and you’ll find;
Knock and the door will open."
–Luke 11:5-9 (The Message)
Most of the writing concerning this parable revolves around one Greek word 'anaideia'. In the above translation, Peterson translates this word as 'stand your ground.' Traditionally, this word has been translated as 'importunity'. One of the best translations of this word is found in the Complete Jewish Bible, where it is translated using the Yiddish word 'if you show hutzpah'.
Why is this such an important word in this parable? Jesus is telling his apostles that believers are to boldly pray for the things that God has promised. Notice the way I said that- I don't think Jesus is telling us to pray for whatever we want. In the context of the Lord's Prayer, I believe Jesus is telling us to be bold when it comes to the things His Father has promised.
At times, we seem afraid to pray to God as an intimate friend- much less to pray with hutzpah, nerve, or boldness. However, if you read through the lament Psalms or the book of Job, you will see great biblical examples of this type of prayer (Psalm 5 is a great example).
I hope we read this parable and are encouraged. Encouraged to pray with boldness. Encouraged to know that God does hear our prayers. Encouraged to pray, "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."