Readings: Exodus 17:8-13; 2 Timothy 3:13-14 4:2; Lk 18:1-18
Prayers Are Always Answered
The readings of today call on us to pray always without giving up. Since prayer puts us in the eternal presence of God, we are never to give up; and never to give in to discouragement. When the Israelites fought their battle with Amalek, Moses took his stand on a great hill and, lifting up his hands, implored God’s aid for his people (First reading). Moses had the support of his friends to assist him when his hands were tired. Sometimes, we need the support of one another in our prayers. The encouragement we give to others, and letting them know that we pray for them, may create an enabling environment for them to cultivate a healthy prayer life. In the Gospel, Jesus demonstrated with the story of the unjust judge the need to persist in prayer until our father hears us. The widow was not discouraged from going to the unjust judge until her demands were met. God our father, is not an unjust judge, but a merciful father. He knows the needs of his children and will always provide for their needs, in His time, and in the manner best suited for them.
I believe that all our prayers are always answered. ‘No’ is also an answer to a prayer. Jesus asked us to be persistent in prayer. He did not give us any guarantee that our prayers will be answered in the way we want, and at the time we want it. He asked for humility and faith but gave no assurance for an instant answer. He promised a reward at the end of a persistent prayer, not swift positive favors. He asked for commitment, not empty promises. The faith and commitment requested of us come from bearing trials and persecutions on account of the Word; while remaining hopeful and joyful, knowing that God’s plans for us will come to pass in His time. It may be delayed but will never be denied.
Prayer without movement towards its realization is a waste of God’s time, and a depletion of our energy. God will not do for us what we can and should do for ourselves. If you pray for God’s favors, begin to move towards the direction of your prayer. A student who did not prepare for a test should not expect a successful outcome, just because he prayed for it. He should rather study hard first, and then pray to remember what he studied on the day of the test. Then God will crown his effort with success.
Apart from being persistent in prayer, we should have faith. St. James tells us “But if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and he will be given it. But he should ask in faith, not doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed about by wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, since he is a man of two minds, unstable in all his ways” (James 1: 5-8). Faith and trust in God are necessary ingredients for prayer.
Know what to ask for in prayer. The Holy Spirit is always our guide. Again St. James asks: “Where do the wars and where do the conflicts among you come from? Is it not from your passions that make war within your members? You covet but do not possess. You kill and envy but you cannot obtain; you fight and wage war. You do not possess because you do not ask. You ask but do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” (4:1-4). “If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the holy Spirit to those who ask him?” (Luke 11:13:). “But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (Lk. 18:8). Will we still be faithful if our prayers are not answered?
In 1Kings 3:5, God said to Solomon, “Ask something of me and I will give it to you.” Solomon’s answer was simple and straight to the point, “Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong.” (verse 9). The Lord was pleased with Solomon’s request, he gave him wisdom and other things he did not ask for. Be specific in your request, do not ask for too many intentions at one particular time of prayer. After all, God knows all your needs. Therefore, seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness and He will provide for all your other needs. (Matt. 6:33).
It is important to always have a forgiving heart. Forgiveness is a condition for a fruitful prayer. Jesus said, “When you stand to pray, forgive anyone against whom you have a grievance, so that your heavenly Father may in turn forgive you your transgressions? (Mk. 11:25-26). Isaiah said: “Lo, the hand of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. Rather, it is your crimes that separate you from your God. It is your sins that make him hide his face so that he will not hear you” (59:1-2).
Our prayers are sometimes answered progressively. When Jesus cured the blind man at Bethsaida, the blind man did not see right-a-way but gradually. “Putting spittle on his eyes he laid his hands on him and asked, ‘Do you see anything?’ he replied, ‘I see people looking like trees and walking’” (Mk. 8:23-26). It was only on laying his hands on his eyes a second time that the blind man saw clearly. We must be patient and wait on the Lord. That is why Jesus reminded us in the ‘Our Father’, to pray for the will of God to be done not ours. A wise saying has it that “Prayer is not a device for getting our wills done through heaven, but a desire that God’s will may be done on earth through us.” Pray and wait for God’s time, not yours. Our prayers are always answered if we know how to ask and what to ask for. Our God is not unjust, He is not unconcerned with our problems, He is not as far away from us as we sometimes think. Rather, we are the ones who, sometimes, turn away from Him and feel He delays in giving immediate answer to our prayer. And whether we receive a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’ answer, knowing that all prayers are answered, remember to always return to the Lord with thanks. If not, he will ask: “Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?”
I want to conclude this reflection with “The Blessings of Unanswered Prayers” by an unknown confederate soldier:
· I asked for strength that I might achieve; I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.
· I asked for health that I might do greater things; I was given infirmity that I might do better things.
· I asked for riches that I might be happy; I was given poverty that I might be wise.
· I asked for power that I might have the praise of men; I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.
· I asked for all things that I might enjoy life; I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
· I got nothing that I had asked for; but everything that I had hoped for.
· Almost despite myself my unspoken prayers were answered; I am, among all men most richly blessed.
Questions to ponder:
1. Do you feel that your prayers are always answered?
2. Do you have a healthy prayer life?
3. Do you set aside a time for prayer each day?
4. Or are you too busy to pray?
“Prayer does not change God, but it changes him who prays”
- Soren Kierkegaad
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