October 19, 2025; 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)

Readings: Exodus 17:8-13; 2 Timothy 3:13-14 4:2; Lk 18:1-18

Prayers Are Always Answered

Today’s readings encourage us to pray always and not to give up. Prayer connects us to the eternal presence of God, reminding us that we should never succumb to discouragement. In the first reading, we see the Israelites battling against the Amalekites. Moses took his stand on a high hill, lifting his hands and imploring God’s victory for his people. He had the support of his friends. Sometimes we need encouragement and support from one another in our prayers. By praying for our friends, we let them know we are thinking of them, thereby creating an environment that fosters a healthy communal life. In the Gospel, Jesus reinforces this point with the story of the unjust judge, emphasizing the necessity of persistence in prayer until our Father hears us. The widow continued to seek justice from the unjust judge without losing heart. Unlike the unjust judge, God is a merciful Father who knows the needs of His children and will always provide for them, though He does so in His own time.

All prayers are answered, even when the outcome is negative. Jesus urges us to remain persistent in prayer. He did not promise that we would be answered in the way we desire and when we want it. Instead, He asks for humility and faith. There is no guarantee of immediate answers; instead, He promises a reward for those who persist, encouraging commitment over empty promises. Our faith and commitment stem from enduring trials and persecutions for the sake of the Word, while we remain hopeful and joyful, knowing that God’s plans will come to fruition in his own time. It may be delayed, but it will never be denied.

Effective prayer requires action. God will not do for us what we can and should do for ourselves. If you pray for favors, work hard to make that a reality in your life. Therefore, students who did not prepare for the examination shouldn’t expect success because they prayed. They should study diligently and then pray for success. God will bless their efforts with success. So, research and study as if everything depends on you, and pray, knowing that everything ultimately depends on God.

We must pray with faith. St. James reminds us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith, without doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord, since they are double-minded and unstable in all their ways.” (James 1:5-8). “Faith is the realization of what is hoped for, and evidence of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1). Faith is an essential component of effective prayer. Listen to Jesus: “Amen, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it shall be done for him. Therefore, I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it, and it shall be yours.” (Mk. 11:23-24).  

What do you ask for in prayer? St. James asks, “Where do wars and conflicts come from among you? Is it not from your passions that wage war within you? You covet but do not possess; you kill and envy but cannot obtain. You fight and wage war. You ask but do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives—to spend it on your pleasures.” (James 4:1-4). “If you, then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” (Luke 11:13). When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth? Will we remain faithful even if our prayers seem unanswered? Ultimately, we should ask for the gift of the Holy Spirit first.

Let us learn from Solomon what to ask for in prayers. God said to Solomon, “Ask something of me and I will give it to you.” (1 Kings 3:5).  Solomon’s response was simple: “Give your servant an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong.” (1Kings 3: 9). The Lord was pleased with Solomon’s request and granted him wisdom, along with other blessings he did not request. (cf. 1 Kings 3:10-14). So, be specific regarding your request. Avoid too many prayer intentions. God knows all you need. Thus, seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and He will provide for all your other needs (cf. Mt. 6:33).

Forgiveness is a key to a positive outcome in prayers. Jesus said, “When you stand to pray, forgive anyone you have a grievance against, so that your heavenly Father may also forgive you your transgressions.” (Mk. 11:25-26). We must be willing to forgive those who hurt us if we want God to forgive us and answer our prayers. That is what we pray for in the ‘Our Father’. (cf. Mt. 6:9-14). Jesus ends the Our Father prayer with, “But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.” (Mt. 6:15). In the parable of the unforgiving servant, Jesus concludes with this punch line: “So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.” (Mt. 18:35). Isaiah opines, “Surely the hand of the Lord is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear. Rather, it is your iniquities that have separated you from your God; your sins make Him hide His face from you so that He will not hear you.” (Is. 59:1-2).

Sometimes, our prayers are answered progressively. When Jesus healed the blind man at Bethsaida, he did not regain his sight immediately; instead, it happened progressively. After applying spittle to the man’s eyes and laying hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?” The man replied, “I see people, but they look like trees walking.” (Mk. 8:22-26). It was only after Jesus laid His hands on his eyes a second time that he was able to see clearly. We must be patient and wait on the Lord. Thus, we pray for God’s will 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 for God’s will to be done on earth through us.” Pray and wait on God. Prayers are always answered if we know how to ask and what to ask for. God is not unjust. He is not unconcerned with our problems. He is not as far from us as we sometimes think. We are often the ones who turn away from God and feel that He delays in giving an immediate answer to our prayers.

When we pray, let us remain calm and trust that God will act on our behalf. Cf. 2 Kings 18 -19. The story of Hezekiah and Sennacherib’s invasion. Hezekiah entrusted Sennacherib to the hands of God, and God fought on his behalf. God knows what is best for us, and He will grant us what we ask for in his own time.  Whether we receive a ‘Yes’ or a ‘No’ answer, we must return to the Lord with thanks. Or Christ we ask, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?” (Luke 17:17-19).

Let me conclude 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 have a healthy prayer life?  

2.     Do you believe that your prayers are always answered?  

3.     Do you set aside a time for prayer each day?

4.     Are you too busy to pray?  

 “Prayer does not change God, but it changes him who prays.” - Soren Kierkegaard

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP