PRAY BETTER, NOT MORE

Thursday in the 1st Week of Lent
Mt 7:7-12

The Lord assures us in the Gospel today, “Ask and you shall receive.” But what do we ask from Him? “Seek and you shall find,” He promises. But what do we seek? “Knock and the door will be opened,” He guarantees us. Jesus hears every plea of our hearts. He answers every request we make on Him. But Jesus grants our prayers according to His own will. We do not dictate on Him. Praying is not demanding.

Lent is not a matter of praying more, but praying better. It should teach us how to pray better. As self-surrendering to the will of God is an integral part of the Lenten theme, this holy season should help us to be able to resign our selves more and more to Divine Providence.

This life of the Lord was well summarized by His final prayer to the Father. Before He breathed His last from the cross, He cried out in a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I commend my spirit.” Lent is not only about preparing for Holy Week. It is about preparing us for the same final plea of Jesus. And that happens not when we multiply our prayers but when we mean every prayer we say. Pray better, not more.