Although the essential parts of “prayer” are adoration, thanksgiving, and contrition, the “prayer of petition” plays a big part in our daily lives. Christ Himself has told us to ask Him for our various needs: “Ask and you shall receive.”
Asking with fervor, conviction, and perseverance proves that we have “the great faith” which the Scriptures say we need to receive what Christ wants to grant us in response to our requests. Do we realize, however, that we do not always get exactly what we ask for? Rather, God gives us what He knows we really need, what He wants for us, and what is really best for us. If our prayer is sincere and persevering, we will always get an answer – one which is better than what we asked for. Do we trust that?
“Lord our God, help us to be witnesses to the power of prayer. Help us to be witnesses to your steadfast love – knowing that such testimony does not consist in engaging in propaganda, nor even in stirring people up, but in being “a living mystery.” Help us to trust that being your witnesses means to live in such a way that our lives would not make sense if you did not exist. Through Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you for ever and ever. Amen.”
