“Ask and you will receive, seek and you will find…” This is certainly among the most reassuring verses from the gospel. Yet, we cannot help but doubt at times when we do not immediately get what we pray for.
Today, Jesus teaches us what to pray for and how to pray. He tells us not to give up in prayer and to put our trust in God. God always answers our prayers. Maybe not today, but certainly one day, in his own time. Likewise, God grants our every petition in his own way, not necessarily in the way we expect. Often, we ask God for what we want, and he gives us what we need. For “what father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for fish?”
I once came across this lovely prayer which is commonly attributed to 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 I asked for—but everything I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am, among men, most richly blessed.
In one of his songs, the popular country singer, Garth Brooks, recounts a chance meeting he had with an old high school flame. After reminiscing their good old days, they part ways and Garth instantly recalls his amorous younger self. “Each night I’d spend prayin’ that God would make her mine and, if he’d only grant me this wish I wished back then, I’d never ask for anything again.” Many years have passed since then, and now he thanks God for his wife whom he would never exchange for anyone else. He realizes “that just because he doesn’t answer doesn’t mean he don’t care ’cause some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers.”
“Ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you.” In prodding us to ask God for what we need, Jesus simply wants us to put ourselves completely in God’s hands as a child totally surrenders himself to his father. Let us not forget that context of Jesus’ teaching on prayer is the Our Father.
The gospel reading opens with a disciple requesting Jesus to teach them how to pray. Jesus obliges and teaches them the Our Father. The central point of the Our Father is the coming of the kingdom of God. The reign of God will dawn on us when we submit ourselves completely to him and subject our will to his. Hence, Jesus assures us, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.” (Mt. 6:33)
All good comes with the kingdom of God. And surprise of surprises, the Father intends to give us not only every good, but the source of every good gift – the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is the greatest and ultimate grace of every prayer. He speaks for us and articulates our deep and inexpressible yearnings in a language understandable to God alone.
As St. Paul teaches, “The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings. And the one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, because it intercedes for the holy ones according to God’s will.” (Rm, 8:26-27)