Knock Knock….Again

Knock-knock. Who’s There?

“So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.”

Knock, knock.

Who’s there?

Luke.

Luke who?

Luke through the peep hole and find out.

Knock, knock jokes are a familiar part of childhood. Just say the words “Knock, knock” and we automatically know what they are suppose to say next, “Who’s there?” The thing that makes knock-knock jokes work is not the “punny” punch line. It’s the “Who’s there?” Without someone to ask the question “Who’s there?” there is no joke.

As a shy, overweight, and awkward child I was obsessed with knock-knock jokes. It was the one way I was sure that people were listening. So when I prayed I would begin, “Knock-knock, God.” In my young heart I knew God was listening because I said, “Knock-knock, God,” and I imagined God answering, “Who’s there?” As an adult my prayers have changed, however, there are still times I say, “Knock-knock, God.” Whenever I feel that my prayers are only making it to the ceiling or I need to assurance that God is listening I begin my prayer, “Knock-knock, God.” Instead of imagining God answering, “Who’s there?” I imagine God saying, “Come in.”

Jesus said in Luke 11:9 that if we knock the door will be opened. When we pray we can have assurance that God is listening and invites us in.

Reflection: Have there been time you felt that God did not hear your prayers? What did you do? How do you experience God hearing your prayers?

Prayer: Knock, knock, God. I know you are listening and invite me in. Help me to search for you and hear you when you say, “Come in.” Amen.