Asking is receiving

11^th Week OT (R)

Fr. Philip Neri Powell, OP

St. Dominic Priory, NOLA

When you water a garden – the hose gets wet before the plants do. So it is with prayer: the first beneficiary of prayer is the one praying. Surely this is why we pray. Not to change God's mind on a specific issue. Not to magically wrangle Him into granting a wish list. But to better tune ourselves to receive the graces He has given us from all eternity. “Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” These graces roll out over time, showing up when we need them not just when we want them. So, it's best to be prepared daily to receive the bread He sends; to be open to hearing and doing His will daily; to forgive and be forgiven daily. We do this in our ordinary way through petition – by asking for what we need. But asking for what we need could lead us to believe that we are being deprived or ignored when what we ask for doesn't arrive. Jesus reminds us that asking is receiving, receiving whatever it is the Father is sending our way. So, we ask and we receive. And we benefit in the asking. How do we benefit? Over time, we become His will on earth as it is in Heaven.

Follow HancAquam or Subscribe ----->