PERSISTENCE IN PRAYER: ASK; SEEK; KNOCK

I firmly believe that, when we pray, we should tell the Lord what it is that we desire out of life. Yes, of course, God knows us better than we know ourselves, but the more we pray for our heart’s desires, the more we are able to clarify what is truly important to us. Each day, go to God and offer him your needs, your dreams. 

Jesus taught his followers to be persistent in the prayer life. Sometimes we simply need to keep knocking on the doors to heaven. Don’t be discouraged if your prayers are not answered overnight. God does not exist in time and doesn’t work on our timelines. 

After I learned that I was being reassigned to St Eugene, I began praying for two things: that the Holy Spirit open my heart to change and a new journey; second, that the Holy Spirit prepare the hearts of the parish for a new priest and a new journey. It remains part of my daily prayer, because the more I pray for this, the more my heart will be converted. 

There is a wonderful, brief prayer from the Old Testament, from 1 Chronicles: 

Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother named him 'Jabez' saying, 'Because I bore him with pain.' Now, Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, 'Oh, Lord, bless me indeed and expand my territory. Keep Your hand on me, and keep evil from me, that I may not cause pain!' And God granted him what he requested." 

Jabez was not afraid to ask God for God’s blessing and God’s abundance. We should not hesitate either.