WHY DO WE PRAY?

If Jesus says that “..your Father knows what you need before you ask HIM” (Matthew 6:8)

Then why do we need to "Ask & it will be given to you; seek & you will find; knock & the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7)

Isn’t that confusing? Not really.

First, just because you have to ask doesn’t mean God does not know what you need. Secondly, this act of ASKING, SEEKING & KNOCKING reminds us WHO WE ARE & WHO GOD IS.

• ASKING means there is a GIVER. And God is the ultimate giver. St. Paul tells us that God is HE “..who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment” (1 Timothy 6:17)
• SEEKING means we are LOST. We need to find THE WAY & Jesus says “I am the way.."(John 14:6)
• KNOCKING means there is a DOOR. Jesus says that "I am the door (gate). Whoever enters through me will be saved” (John 10:7)

That’s what prayer does! It puts us in our place. It reminds us that God is God & we are mere humans. Let’s be humble to accept this truth. Prayer allows us, despite our brokenness, to approach God freely. What a blessing!

So, don’t pray just to ASK.

Don’t pray just because you’re SEEKING something.

Don’t pray because the door of opportunities are not OPENING up.

PRAY because you know that you NEED GOD. Jesus says that "without me you can do nothing” (John 15:5)

This #lent2020, pray more. May our prayers remind us that God is all we need. Nothing else, no one else.

May God bless your Thursday!- alvinfabella@yahoo.com