Today’s Gospel takes us to a time when Jesus is in the midst of teaching his disciples about prayer. He says, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”
Who doesn’t want their prayers answered? These words from Jesus are welcoming and encouraging to hear, but we know it’s not like rubbing a magic lamp and waiting for a genie to appear to grant us our wishes. Prayers aren’t magic. Rather, they are placed into God’s hands and then we wait. Some prayers are answered and some are worked out in different ways, all for our good.
Some people pray very easily in petition to God, even non-believers. They hope He does exist in their time of need. Many people only turn to God in moments of crisis, recognizing that anything is possible with God. Even a non-believer can scramble up enough faith to pray in an emergency, to a God they otherwise don’t know. But it’s good that they do reach out to Him. It’s a sign that their faith can be enough, even if it’s as small as a mustard seed. (Matthew 17:19)
In today’s first reading, Queen Esther, even though she already had great faith, also needed to plead to God. In desperation, she lay on the ground with her handmaids from day to night, asking God to rescue them from their enemies.
Either saint or sinner, Queen or King, you or I, can shout out a prayer to God when we need Him most. He is waiting to hear from us, no matter what our status is or our level of faith. God is merciful. He is a loving Father waiting for His children to come to Him so he can help us; His kindness endures forever.
Some need proof that God exists so they pray saying, “God, show me a sign. Prove to me that you are real and then I will believe.” There’s a much better approach than putting God to the test. Merely sit with a spiritual book or the Bible and begin reading about God and His people. There are many stories in the Bible that rival novels. A good idea is to spend time with God when your life is peaceful. Take your time and make it a routine to pray with Him. God is ready to talk with you anytime, even if it’s just an ordinary afternoon at the park.
Get to know God today. Read about the saints that faced many battles. Sometimes God took His time to answer them too. Some were even seen dancing in the fires of their enemies before they were rescued. Let their example fuel your belief. Learn to build your faith on a daily basis and not just in a time of need.
Daily Reading
Second Sunday of Lent
Reading I Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18 The Lord God took Abram outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can. Just so,” he added, “shall…
Saint of the Day
Second Sunday of Lent
Reading I Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18 The Lord God took Abram outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can. Just so,” he added, “shall…