13th July 2014
What is the Perfect Prayer?
The answer is simple; it’s Jesus’ own prayer. “Father, Your Will Be Done.”
In the gospel he utters it often and of course it’s in the Lord’s prayer.
“Thy Kingdom Come, THY WILL BE DONE, On earth as it is in heaven.”
It’s a prayer echoed by Mary, “Let it be done unto me according to your word.”
For us, if we are honest, it is a difficult prayer. It’s the opposite of what we usually do i.e pray for our own needs. It’s our natural inclination, that goes back to our childhood. Children will ask for what they want or need and do so as a simple act of faith and trust. They ask God for things in the same way as they ask their parents. “Can I have…? They know that “No” or “Not Yet,” might be the answer. They nevertheless ask in the hope it might be a “yes,” but whatever the answer is they know their parents’ love and care for them and will do what is good for them.
But Jesus asks us to go beyond this simple way of praying and asks us to do something deeper and more profound. To let go of the desire to ask for the things that will please us and ask for the things that will please the one whom we love: God. And that is what Jesus was doing and we do, when we pray. “Your will be done.”
And it works; though not in the way we might expect. For God also loves us and knows us and our needs better than we know ourselves and helps us in whatever situation we find ourselves to grow more like him. I don’t know who wrote these words, but they reflect how God so often works in answering our prayers.
I asked God for strength, that I might achieve…
But I became weak; and learnt to be humble.
I asked for good health; that I might avoid all suffering and pain…
But I became sick; and grew to understand the needs of others.
I asked for riches; that I might receive all I desire…
But I became poor; and I discovered wisdom – to see what really matters.
I asked for power; that I might be successful and receive praise…
But I failed; and discovered my need for God and his love for me.
I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life…
But I learnt to appreciate life; and began to enjoy all things.
I got nothing I asked for – received everything I hoped for,
Almost despite myself, myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
