Pray Because God Wants to Answer

Thursday of the First Week of Lent

Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25 / Psalm 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 7c-8 / Matt. 7:7-12

Pray Because God Wants to Answer

We know that prayer is part of our Lenten discipline, but do we stop to think why it is part of that discipline? The gospel today says: “Ask… Seek… Knock...” Why?  Usually we ask, seek or knock because we want to receive, find or enter. But there is another reason to ask, seek and knock in the case of prayer.

It’s not only because we are in need, but also because God wants us to receive from him. God wants us to be found by him. God wants us to enter into his home – our hearts. Know when you ask, seek or knock that you have a willing response, and do it often this Lent and always.

·        Reflect on the disposition you bring to prayer when you are asking God for something.

            Do you ask like a beggar happy to get whatever scraps fall from the table?

           Do you ask like a child who is tugging relentlessly at her mother’s skirt:

                      “Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, Mommy…?”

          Do you ask like you deserve or have paid for what you desire?

          Do you feel like you have to manipulate God to give to you?

         Would you rather steal it than ask for it?

         Is there a better description than these possibilities?

        How does the disposition that you take in “asking prayer” compare to the disposition Jesus advocates?