Day: January 19, 2013

all we can do is ask

English: The stained-glass window number 27 (d...
English: The stained-glass window number 27 (detail) in the Sint Janskerk at Gouda/Netherlands: “The parable of the Pharisee and the publican” Deutsch: Das Glasfenster Nummer 27 (Detail) in der Sint Janskerk in Gouda/Niederlande: “Der Pharisäer und der Zöllner” Nederlands: Gebrandschilderd Glas 27 (detail) in de Sint-Janskerk in Gouda/Nederland: “De farizeeër en de tollenaar” (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Paul tells us that faith, hope, and love are the three that remain. The church understands these as “theological virtues” – spiritual habitual traits that come only by the gifting of the Holy Spirit. We can only believe as the Spirit enables. We can only hope as the Spirit enables. We can only love as the Spirit enables.

Jesus gave as an example to follow the man who prayed, “Lord I believe, help my unbelief.”

Taking Jesus and Paul together, we can pray:

Lord I believe, help my unbelief.

Lord I hope, help my despair.

Lord I love, help my indifference and hatred.

Since each is a gift, all we can do is ask and receive. Good thing he gives so freely.