Further Teachings on Prayer

Today's Reflections

Further Teachings on Prayer 

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Lk 11:5-13

⁵[Jesus] said to [his disciples], “Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, ⁶for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him,’ ⁷and he says in reply from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.’ ⁸I tell you, if he does not get up to give him the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence.

⁹“And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ¹⁰For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. ¹¹What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? ¹²Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? ¹³If you then, 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?”

Reflection:

Ask and you will receive. Praying and having a prayer life is not boring at all. Prayer has its own dynamics and is exciting because we have a God of surprises. Prayer dynamics include the following lessons.

First, God listens to our prayer. God knows us, attends to us, and desires the best for us. He always has time for us and wants us to open up to him.

Second, God answers our prayers. He answers according to his plans, to what is best for us, according to his time, his ways. If we think we do not receive what we have been asking for, it is not because he has intentionally refused it for us, but in his plan and goodness he wants to give us something better. God never grants something that would harm us.

Third, God always gives good things and gifts. God never stops blessing us. He is always good and generous, giving us the best gift ever—his holy Spirit.

Do you have unanswered prayers?

Can you recall the times that God gave you

a better gift than the one you asked for?