Is it okay to ask God for stuff? Too often I hear things like, “Oh, I wouldn’t want to bother God with that…” or “God has more important prayers to answer,” as though God were limited in time or resources. If God is who we say God is – creator of all that is, seen and unseen; all-powerful, all-knowing; without limit or constraint; then we can feel free to make our needs known to God. Jesus said as much:
"Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.' And he answers from within, 'Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.' I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs."
It’s an oddly negative example, this friend who will yield to annoying persistence before the claims of friendship, but Jesus often uses negative examples to contrast God’s goodness and generosity. Jesus invites us to ask for our daily bread – a day’s supply, not a year’s – and beyond that to bring our petitions to God in prayer. Remember, Jesus tells this story in answer to his disciples’ request, “Lord, teach us how to pray.” This is part of praying – trusting in God’s love enough to be persistent. If we, in our limited way, are wired to want good things for our children, how much more does our God, who has no restrictions whatsoever on his largesse?
Should we have to be persistent? Doesn’t God hear us the first time? I believe God hears us before we’ve even formed a prayer into words – God hears the intentions of our hearts. And if we’re praying in the Spirit, then God has inspired the very prayer God proposes to answer. But in this life we’ll have desires and anxieties, and we can offer those in prayer. It’s the most productive way of dealing with worries and wants. We are communicating within our relationship with God. And when we talk to God, we’re promised peace. That peace allows us to better let go of our wants and worries.
Persistence doesn’t always yield the “result” we want. Sometimes God’s answer is silence, or no, or we see an outcome different than what we want or even regard as life-giving. Mystery and timing are factors in prayer we can never control. Yet even when we don’t see the answer we desire, we’re invited to pray. Jesus promises not that we will get what we ask for, but that we will receive the Holy Spirit.
This is not like getting a sweater when we asked for a pony. With the Spirit we get the faith to trust in our daily bread. With the Spirit we get the grace to forgive those who have wronged us, and the humility to ask for forgiveness from those whom we have wronged. With the Spirit we get the strength and hope that helps us weather spiritual trials. The Spirit is the answer to the whole Lord’s Prayer! God’s Spirit is the only gift we truly need.
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