God’s Answers

  “Lord, Your best servants are those who wish to shape their life on Your answers rather than shape Your answers on their wishes.”  (St. Augustine, Confessions 10, 26)

   Why do we think God should answer our prayers and wishes in the way we desire?  We have no concept of God’s plan, yet we expect it to bend to our will.  I hear people complain that their prayers aren't answered.  I suspect the problem is not that God did not answer but they did not get the answer they wished for.

   In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus prayed to the Father that the cup of His suffering be taken from Him, but only if it were the will of the Father.  That is the attitude we must also take in our prayers.  It is right and proper to pray that pain and sorrow be relieved, yet it is not always granted.  God’s will is a mystery and we can never fully grasp His purpose, especially when it is so different from what we desire.  We expect an answer to our prayer that conforms to our will, not necessarily His.  We must pray that all things be according to His will even when that means we may have to suffer for a time.

   Faith says that regardless of our troubles and woes in this world we are to be received into the kingdom of God.  If we fully trust in God and His will we can realize this hope of eternal happiness.  Though we may have pain and sorrow in this world a better world awaits.  We must look to that promise and accept the answer God gives, giving Him all praise and glory.  Even when that answer is not the one we would want.

Father, Your will is so far beyond our understanding.

Help us accept Your plan in our lives.

Give us the strength and faith to always trust in You.

Accepting Your answer to our prayers.

Amen