Readings: Exodus 17:8-13; 2 Timothy 3:13-14 4:2; Lk 18:1-18
Pray And Don’t Give Up
1. In
today’s first reading, we see the children of Israel at war with Amalek. Moses
took his stand on a great hill and, lifting up his hands, implored God’s aid
for his people. Moses had the support of friends to assist him when his hands
were tired. We need the help of one another in our prayers. The encouragement
we give to others, letting them know that we pray for them, may help 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 the 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. He is a merciful
Father who knows the needs of his children and will always provide for them in
His time and in the manner best suited for them.
2. Our
prayers are efficacious and are always answered. Even
‘No’ is an answer to a prayer. Jesus asked us to be persistent in prayer. He
did not guarantee that our prayers would be answered in the way and at the time
we wanted. He asked for humility and faith but gave no assurance for an instant
answer. He promised a reward at the end of 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 while remaining
hopeful and joyful. God’s plans for us will come to pass in His time. It
may be delayed but never be denied.
3. Prayer
without movement toward its realization is a waste of time. It is a depletion
of helpful energy. God will not do for us what we can and should do
for ourselves. If you pray for God’s favor, create favorable
conditions around you. A student who did not prepare for a test should not
expect a successful outcome just because he prayed for it. He should study and
pray to remember what he learned on the test day. Then God will crown
his effort with success.
4. Have
faith. St. James says, “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 the wind. That person
must not suppose 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.
5. Know what
to ask for in prayer. Ask for the gift of the Holy Spirit. St. James asks: “Where
do the wars and where do the conflicts among you come from? 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, 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).
6. Ask for
wisdom. God said to Solomon, “Ask something of me, and I
will give it to you.” Solomon answered, “Give your servant 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
things at one prayer time. After all, God knows all your needs. Therefore, seek
God’s kingdom and righteousness first, and He will provide for all your other
needs. (Matt. 6:33).
7. 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).
8. Be
patient. Prayers are sometimes answered progressively. When Jesus cured the
blind man at Bethsaida, he did not see right away but gradually. “‘Do
you see anything?’ he replied, ‘I see people looking like trees and walking’” (Mk.
8:23-26). It was by laying his hands on his eyes a second time that the blind
man saw clearly. Be patient and wait on the Lord. Hence, Jesus tells us to pray
in ‘Our Father’ for the will of God to be done, not ours. A wise saying has it
thus, “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 and what to ask. God is not unjust, He is not unconcerned with our
problems, and He is not as far away from us as we may think. Instead, we are
the ones who, sometimes, turn away from God and feel He delays in giving an
immediate answer to our prayer. Whether we receive a ‘Yes’ or a ‘No’ answer,
know that all prayers are answered. Remember to return to the Lord with thanks.
Be blessed!
Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP
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