ASK AND YOU WILL RECEIVE

PRAYER MOMENT

Thursday 13 March 2014.

ASK AND YOU WILL RECEIVE

Pause. Be still in the presence of God.

Reading: “Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matt 7:7-12)

Reflection. Jesus’ teaching on prayer is simple and short. Perhaps we think it is not as simple as that. We do ask but we don’t get; or we search without finding. The companion reading for today comes from Esther 14 where her whole life and that of the people is in her hands as she pours herself out begging the Lord for help in her deadly peril. And doesn’t our prayer too have to be in harmony with our whole life? Can we expect a few words from us to bring results, as if we are out shopping? No, there has to be a total unity between my life and my prayer and vice versa. I have to live the words I say with my whole heart, mind and strength. Look at Gethsemane, the key revelation of what prayer really is. Did Jesus get what he asked for – “let this cup pass”? No! Was his prayer answered? Definitely, yes.        

Prayer. Lord, teach us to pray. Teach us the meaning of the words, “let not my will but yours be done!” Amen.

David Harold-Barry SJ