Asking for Things in Prayer

I wrote this post for the Bulletin last Sunday. I thought it would be good to share.

              This Sunday’s Gospel is Jesus’ teaching to pray insistently, using the parable of a widow who keeps badgering an unjust judge until she finally gets a true and just judgment from him.  The judge, who is a law only to himself, “he feared neither God nor any human being,” is worn down by the widow’s constant insistence that he render a just judgment, even fearing that she would slap him!  Jesus’ message is clear– if even an unjust judge will yield and give someone what they want simply out of fear of being pestered unrelentingly, how much more will God, who is justice himself, listen to the prayers of those who come to him in faith, confident in what he can do and in his goodness?  But why must we pray at all?  Doesn’t God know what we need before we ask it of him?  Why must we pray to him for our needs, let alone insistently? 

I am reminded of a passage in C.S. Lewis’ The Magician’s Nephew, part of the Chronicles of Narnia series:

Polly and Digory stared at one another in dismay.

“Well I do think someone might have arranged about our meals,” said Digory.

“I’m sure Aslan would have, if you’d asked him,” said Fledge.

“Wouldn’t he know without being asked?” said Polly.

“I’ve no doubt he would,” said the Horse (still with his mouth full).  “But I’ve a

sort of idea he likes to be asked.”

Why does God like us to ask him for things in prayer?  There are many reasons.  Firstly, because it’s an acknowledgment that God is the provider of all things and without him we would have nothing, not even our own existence.  It builds humility in us because we acknowledge that we do not simply have a right to whatever we like or need.  Everything is a gift from God and it’s important that we acknowledge it.  Asking him for what we need helps us to live in the truth– as creatures dependent upon our Creator.  It also helps us to go deeper in our conversation with God— when we come back to him time and time again, we may learn that we don’t actually need what we’re asking for, or come to see things in a new light as to what we should actually be requesting.  Coming to him for something helps us to better understand his mind, his heart, his will.  It increases our faith and trust in him. Finally, our requests to him redound to his glory.  Consider a prayer that you may have asked of him that was granted.  Did you feel deep gratitude in your heart?  Did you glorify him for bringing it about in just the right way, or maybe in a way that was completely surprising and unpredictable, leaving no doubt as to who it was from?  All of these things matter because the truth matters– when we cease to live in the truth and no longer see things as they really are, we find ourselves far less happy.  So let’s take the time to tell God about our needs and know with confidence that he hears us and wants the best for us.