Prayer is often seen as asking something from God, usually a material favor like a new job, a bigger house, a better car, more wealth. Sometimes, we ask for something more intangible like health or happiness or peace of mind or forgiveness. People often assume their relationship with God and feel entitled to just go and ask for favors. I often think instead of that relationship with God. My prayers are often that I get to strengthen that relationship by knowing Him better, my love for him becoming deeper and my gratefulness for all His blessings ever stronger.
All I have asked the Lord he has given to me. May be not right away or in the form I asked for; but in His time He has granted me everything I prayed and wished for and more. What I still struggle with is to know and love Him better, to be always assured of His continuing presence in my life even in those moments of doubt, weakness and helplessness. I feel Him in my joys and blessings.
How do I relish Him when I am in the desert of doubts or in the depths of depression? I have no real answer to that but to stay still and silent. And in the silence and solitude, I pray to hear His whisper and wait for Him knocking at the door of my heart.
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; He has come to his people.
Jesus said to his disciples:
“And I tell you, ask and you will receive;
seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks, receives;
and the one who seeks, finds;
and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
What father among you would hand his son a snake
when he asks for a fish?
Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg?
If you then, who are wicked,
know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit
to those who ask him?”
Luke 11:10–13