Every Sunday, Bishop Edward Malesic writes a Scripture reflection for the faithful. Follow the bishop on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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Our readings today call our attention to the power of prayer.
In the Book of Genesis, Abraham asked the Lord to spare a city filled with wicked people for the sake of the innocent life that resided within it. Abraham appeared to be bargaining with God. Abraham asked God, “Will you spare the city if there are 50 innocent people found inside of the city? 45 innocent people? 40 innocent people? 30? 20? 10?” The Lord answered Abraham, “For the sake of the ten, I will not destroy it.”
Ten people were spared because Abraham had the nerve to ask God for the favor to save them!
The disciples of Jesus asked him: “Lord, teach us to pray.”
In response, the Lord gave them (and us) the Lord’s Prayer.
The Lord then encouraged his disciples to be persistent in prayer. He told them to ask, seek and knock.
The Lord always gives us what we need, not always what we want. But, when we pray, our hearts are expanded to receive his answer. And the more we pray, the more we learn to place our trust in God, who gives us what is for our good and, ultimately, for our salvation.
Never give up on prayer.
So, ASK, SEEK and KNOCK — and then ASK, SEEK and KNOCK again. Sometimes miracles do happen, but they rarely happen if we don’t ask.
Fulton Sheen once said of prayer: “Prayer is helplessness casting itself on Power, infirmity leaning on Strength, misery reaching to Mercy, and a prisoner clamoring for Relief.”
Have a blessed week everyone.