1 John 3:22–4:6. Psalm 2:7bc-8, 10-12a. Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25
In the Letter of James, we saw some reasons prayers are not answered. James 4:3. In the first reading, we are given the formula for answered prayers so that we can assess if we are praying well enough and doing the necessary things.
“WE RECEIVE FROM GOD WHATEVER WE ASK, …”BECAUSE WE KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS AND DO WHAT PLEASES HIM.”
Many Christians fail in their prayers, not because they use the wrong words, or prayed little or did not speak in tongue but because of the above reason. All the saints achieve their holiness through this singular union with God in prayers and keeping his commandments, especially in private prayers. When you develop a life of prayer through this way, miracles become part of your life too.
This union with God is very important. If we are united with God and keep his commandments, whatever we ask will only be things that are pleasing to God. If we are united with God, other reasons why prayers are not answered will fade away.
A little girl was kneeling by her bedside and began to pray. Yet all she did was recite the alphabet over and over again. Her mother walked in the room and after hearing the child repeat her ABC’s again and again, interrupted and asked what she was doing. “Well I’m praying,” said the little girl. The mother said, “But it sounds like you are just repeating the alphabet over and over.” The girl explained, “I don’t know any real prayers, Mama, I just give God the whole alphabet and trust that He can put it all together in a way that He sees fit.”
PRAYER IS NOT ABOUT HOW WELL OR HOW MUCH YOU KNOW ABOUT PRAYER, BUT ABOUT YOUR LOVE AND UNION WITH GOD.
A CHRISTIAN IS NOT AN ORDINARY PERSON.