Summoned to Prayer

The song The Summons by John Bell includes a curious line, in which Christ says to us, “Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me?”

What does it mean to let Christ answer prayer in us? We wouldn’t be praying if we didn’t want an answer, right? Actually, we sometimes face numerous impediments in allowing Christ to answer prayer in us:

• We might be so impatient for an answer that we cease listening if we don’t get an immediate response. We typically want an answer on our timeline, not on God’s timeline.

• We may feel so unworthy of God’s attention that we can’t even bring ourselves to pray.

• Our lack of hope and trust may prevent us from believing that God will respond to our prayer.

• We might not be open to hearing any answer to our prayer except the one we want to hear.

Bell’s song also asks us to consider whether we are willing to answer Christ’s prayer. Prayer was integral to Jesus’ life, so it stands to reason that he continues to pray in his resurrected form. If Christ prays for us — that we can overcome our addictions, that we can stop worrying, that we can forgive those who hurt us — will we answer that prayer through openness to Christ’s transforming love? If Christ prays for the suffering people of the world, will we answer that prayer by reaching out to those who need our help?

Prayer isn’t a form of magical wish fulfillment; rather, it is the communication that flows from being in a relationship with God. As in any relationship, keeping the channels of communication open requires a commitment of time, trust, honesty, and patience. Christ asks each of us with true vulnerability, “Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me?” Our response will shape how the remainder of our life unfolds.