Ask... seek... knock

The essence of prayer is petitioning to God to grant us something from his bountiful graces.

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But before asking, it is important to recognize the Giver:“Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near” (Is 55:6). So, the petitioner simply has to ask. And all prayers are answered: sometimes immediately as direly needed, or at other times waiting for the opportune time. Or adversely the answer maybe “no” because it is not appropriate or can be harmful.

The father knows what is good and best for his children; no parent would wish evil to befall the young ones, for at times they do not know what to ask for, whether these are essential or trivial matters, or even a danger to the children. Therefore, we trust the Father in heaven to give us only good things.

Moreover, Jesus assures his disciples: “Whatever you ask the Father in my name He may give you” (Jn 15:16). When we ask in the name of the Lord Jesus, we are assured of God’s positive answer, since we cannot ask something which is contrary to the teachings of our Lord Jesus.