September 17


God Answers Our Prayer 

Before beginning my prayers, I will consider myself unworthy to listen to God or have him listen to mine. Since St. Theresa of Avila says she received the greatest graces in her prayers when she most humiliated herself. (OOCC, X, p. 100; STA, 124)

People often raise the question of God not answering their prayers. Often people take God’s not answering their prayers or delaying in answering their prayers as a lack of concern and care on the part of God. As a result, some even give up praying. St. Vincent has something to say to these people. For him, prayer is the infallible means to obtain from God everything one desires or needs. If a person thinks that God is not answering his prayer or delaying in answering his prayer, he must remember that this does not mean that God is not listening to him. Sometimes God denies what a person asks in prayer. This is not because God dislikes him or is not interested in him. But the reason for the denial of his request in prayer is that God is more interested in giving to that person what he really needs for his good rather than giving him what he wishes to have. Sometimes God makes a person wait by delaying in answering his prayer. This is because God wants that person to continue to offer his petitions to him, in all humility, thereby increasing his love and faith. If a person is objective about the way God deals with him, then he will realize that God is more liberal in giving rather than asking.

Do I complain that God does not answer my prayer? Do I give up praying because my prayer is sometimes not answered? Do I try to understand the mystery of God’s plan for my life which guides him to respond to my prayer? Do I see God’s liberal dealing with me in my life?

And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. (Lk. 11: 9 – 10)