**Our Supplications and the Meaning of Life**
**Our Supplications and the Meaning of Life**
Rev. Jerry J. Pokorsky
Jesus promises to answer our prayers: “And I tell you, ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Luke 11:9) He also promises only good things: “What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?” (Luke 11:11-12) But why does it seem that many of our prayers go unanswered?
The glib explanation is that God always answers our prayers, but He often says no. He also wants us to be persistent -- fine-tuning our petitions, and purifying our motives -- because all prayer is susceptible to misunderstanding and abuse. “What are the children of this generation like? They are like children sitting in the market place and calling to one another, ‘We piped to you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not weep.’” (Luke 7:31-32) We can easily ruin prayers of supplication, expecting Jesus to dance to our sinfully selfish tunes.
Certain religious groups use prayer and almsgiving to cash in on the “Gospel of prosperity.” The superstitious expect God to answer our prayers if we don’t break a magical chain letter. We use prayer networks as a thin disguise for gossip. Fundraisers use prayer intentions to advertise their wares.
Of course, there are legitimate elements behind every excess. In the Psalms, we beg for many favors, including success in our work (Psalm 90). Novenas teach us the discipline of prayer according to the mind of the Church. Our public prayers not only express our needs to God but to one another, possibly sparking holy cooperation. Why not pray for the success of fundraising, with discretion, if it’s a good cause?
Admitting to the need to purify motives, why doesn’t God immediately grant those requests that are transparently honorable and good: healing, ending violence, restoring families to the practice of the faith?
The disciples were unable to cast out demons, and Jesus explains why they failed: “He said to them, ‘Because of your little faith. …if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from hence to yonder place,’ and it will move….’” (Matthew 17:20) Jesus frequently links the efficacy of our supplications to the quality of faith: “And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” (Matthew 21:22)
In the Gospel, a Canaanite woman calls out to Jesus. But for a brief time, He remains unresponsive. Canaanites were pagans, at best; at worst, they worshiped demons. So the disciples have contempt for her plea. She calls upon Jesus, but the disciples -- already too big for their britches -- presume that she’s calling “after us.” The emerging Christian clergy overestimated their importance, becoming obstacles to Jesus. Jesus uses the exchange not only to reward her faith but to correct His future priests by lavishing praise on the poor woman: “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” (Matthew 15:28)
Like that of the Canaanite woman, our faith must be great in Jesus alone, accessible through the authentic teachings of the Church. Our petitions must be purified of sinful motives, and fortified by faith in Jesus. But how does faith in Jesus direct our prayers?
The Canticle of Zechariah (Luke 1:68-79), recited daily in the Divine Office, provides a concise description of the purpose of faith. God “has visited and redeemed his people” and He “remember[s] his holy covenant” that “we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life.”
Hence, we can distill from Zechariah’s canticle this simple description of the meaning of our existence: to worship God in freedom. (This also describes the Mass! We will celebrate the fulfillment of the Mass in heaven: absolute Truth, love, generosity, overabundant grace, and communion.) Hence, all prayer – adoration, contrition, thanksgiving, and supplication – is directed to the worship of God in freedom.
Jesus’ prayer of petition in the Garden acknowledges both freedom and worship: “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.” (Matthew 26:39) His obedience is not bitter compliance. It is free: “No one takes [my life] from me, but I lay it down of my own accord....” (John 10:18) Hence, His Passion and Cross is a perfect act of worship, reflecting the loving obedience of Jesus to the will of the Father for our redemption.
Similarly, God desires our free and loving obedience, and our prayers must coincide with our eternal destiny of worship. So when we ask God for favors, our intentions must correspond with that destiny: to worship God in freedom. But in the mystery of God’s providence, we must acknowledge that freedom is inviolable. God not only honors (sic!) our freedom, but He also honors the freedom of others, including our enemies. So our prayers must always invoke God’s grace to change hearts, including our own.
Years ago, I visited a woman who was hours away from death. Her kindly husband, who called me, was at her side for seven months, rosary in hand. He was sad, and he said he begged God to send help for his wife but to no avail. With all the diplomacy I could muster, I pointed out the obvious: God indeed answered his prayers. He fortified him to help her enter heavenly glory.
God always answers our prayers, but often in unexpected ways.
Don’t give up. “Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6)
Jesus is more succinct: “Pray always and do not lose heart.” (Luke 18:1)
