James Alison begins with an interpretation of the parable of the Unjust Judge and the Importunate Widow. He sees this as an example of our reluctance to become insistent desirers and to accept less than we deserve. He suggests that we dare to want more. Then he discusses Jesus’ sayings about praying for those who abuse or persecute you and loving your enemies. He says that when we engage in reciprocal arguments with our enemies, we allow them to control us. We let them to take up space in our minds and drag us down to their level. Praying for them saves us from being run by them. Referring to Jesus’ teaching that we pray privately in a room, Alison recommends this as a way of avoiding the influence of others and being open to God. He says that we sometimes pray as though God were a slot machine, hoping that God will answer our desires, rather than seeking God’s desires. Finally, Alison analyzes the Lord’s Prayer from an anthropological perspective.
