Needs vs. Wants

  We have been discussing being both bold and persistent in prayer through the lens of a couple of short stories told by Jesus.  But there is something to note in these stories - Jesus is talking about praying for what you need.  In the story from Luke 18: 1-8, Jesus speaks of a widow who needs justice.  Probably her very livelihood depended on it. The position of widows in Jesus' time was tenuous.  Women were dependent upon fathers or husbands to take care of them.
  In the story from Luke 11:5-8, a man needs to set out food for unexpected visitors.  In this instance, the need is not even for himself, it is for others.  Hospitality was extremely important in Jewish culture.  It was no doubt embarrassing for him to have to go to his neighbor in the middle of the night and admit that he did not even have bread for his visitors. How humiliating!
  
  For reflection:  In my prayers, am I asking for my needs and the needs of others?  If I have all I need, whose needs can I attend to?
  Let us pray.  Jesus, I am knocking on your door.  There are needs.

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