The Raising of Hearts and Arms

Father Albertus Herwanta, O. Carm

Today's readings, for the 29th of Ordinary Time, speak about the importance of persistent prayer. Exodus 17:8-13 and Luke 18:1-8 — Moses raising his hands and a widow pleading with a judge — paint a profound picture of the Christian life. At their core, both stories describe the vital and challenging work of persistent prayer and its relevance for every one of us.

In the Exodus narrative, the Amalekites attacked the Israelites, prompting Moses to send Joshua to lead the battle while he ascended a hill with the staff of God. The outcome of the battle hinged on Moses' posture of prayer; as long as he held his hands aloft, Israel triumphed, but when he lowered them, the enemy advanced. This act symbolizes dependence on God, with his raised arms representing intercession. Aaron and Hur provided a stone for him to sit on and held his arms until victory was achieved.

In Luke 18, Jesus instructs his disciples to "should always pray and not give up." He uses the example of a persistent widow who wears down an unjust judge with her continual pleas for justice. If even a corrupt, self-serving judge will eventually act because of her persistence, how much more will our loving Heavenly Father hear and answer His chosen ones who cry out to Him day and night?

The relevance of these passages for the Christian life is powerful and multifaceted:

Prayer is a battle, not a passive wish.

Like the Israelites, we are in a spiritual conflict. Our prayers are not just a quiet devotional practice; they are active engagements where we "fight on our knees." We intercede for others, for our communities, and against the forces of darkness, trusting that our prayers, like Moses' arms, have a real impact on the outcome.

Persistence is a form of faith.

The widow did not have a complicated theology; she had a raw, stubborn need. Her continual coming was an act of faith that refused to accept defeat. Similarly, our persistent prayers are not meant to inform God of our needs but to strengthen our trust in His timing and character. It is faith that perseveres, even in the face of delayed answers.

We are not meant to pray alone. Moses grew weary.

The Christian life is not a solo endeavor. We need our own "Aaron and Hur"—a community of faith to support us when our spiritual strength fails. Small groups, prayer partners, and the wider church exist to hold up our arms in prayer, reminding us that we are part of a body, fighting and believing together.

The foundation is God's character, not our effort.

The fundamental contrast between the unjust judge and our God lies in His nature. We persevere not because God is hesitant, but because He is just and loving. Our persistence is grounded in the assurance that He will bring justice for His people. Jesus ends the parable with a poignant question: "When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?" The type of faith He seeks is the enduring, steadfast, widow-like faith that relies on God until the end.

To conclude, the raising of hands and the widow's plea urge us towards a life of steadfast, communal, and hopeful prayer. They serve as a reminder for us to continue asking, seeking, and knocking. Additionally, we require support from our fellow believers and a foundation in the unwavering promise that our faithful God listens and will respond. (*)