Saturday of the Sixth Week of Easter
My husband and I enjoy hiking, and besides the beauty of nature, one of my favorite parts of our time together is the deep conversations that we share. Just recently, the subject of why we pray for others was a topic that we addressed as we trekked through the woods. Jesus brings up the idea of coming to God in prayer, and he assures us that God listens when we ask because of God’s great love for us.
In today’s gospel from John, Jesus is attempting to encourage the disciples as he prepares for his departure. Jesus realizes that soon he will be taken back up to be with the Father, and he will no longer be physically present to his followers. Jesus tells the disciples, “Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.” Jesus goes on to explain that the Father’s great love for us is connected to our love and faith in Jesus, His Son. Our prayers to Jesus connect us to God the Father, and the Father hears our prayers.
As my husband and I discussed praying for others, there were many questions that arose. It is clear that Jesus invites us to pray to God asking for what we desire. Jesus directs us to “ask in my name”, but what exactly does this mean? As I reflect on this, I think most faith filled people recognize that God can do anything- his omnipotence and power go beyond our human imaginations. If God wants to heal someone, He can. (Jesus already showed us that this is possible in His earthly ministry.) So why does it seem that some prayers are answered and others seem to be ignored? Did we not pray enough? Do we really change God’s mind with our prayers? How do we come to understand this promise that Jesus says he will answer our prayers when there are so many times we do not receive the request that we made?
Jesus mentions in today’s readings that he speaks in “figures of speech.” Could this help to better explain why we do not always get what we ask for? As my husband and I discussed this topic, there were some thoughts that seemed to bring a better understanding to our intercessory prayers. First of all, we do believe that God is loving and listens to our prayers. God’s vision of our lives and the world around us is much greater than our narrow vision, so God may answer our prayer in a way that in fact is more loving; even though it does not seem to fit what we believe is best. God’s response may also be more about helping the person we are praying for receive spiritual consolation and healing as opposed to a physical healing. Again- God has the greater insights to know what is best. Finally, our intercessory prayer is in some ways for us. As we reach out to God for His mercy, love and blessings, we are deepening our faith in His providence and recognizing our dependence on God for our lives. Our prayer for others helps us work towards growing as a disciple, but it also provides us an opportunity to build community for those we bring to God in prayer.
So when I bring a person or situation to prayer, I place this before God. I trust that God will address my concern in a way that I believe is consistent with love and mercy. I am not asking to change God’s mind, but praying that God will change us (myself and the person I am praying for) to grow in our faith and understanding of God’s ways. When we are able to come to the point where no matter what happens, we see the Hand of God providing an answer to our prayers, then this is when we will have the joy that Jesus promises in today’s gospel.
Loving God, Jesus tells us that whatever we ask of you, you will give to us. Send down your Spirit, so we may receive your grace and wisdom to know that our faith-filled prayers are answered even when we feel that we have not been heard. Help us grow in our faith, so we can trust in your love and through lives of prayer give you praise and glory. We pray this Christ’s name. AMEN
-Marylynn Herchline