1st Week of Lent (C) : Thursday 13th March 2025

Prayer is a non-negotiable act in the life of a believer. In her distress and care for her people, Esther plans and places all her might and trust in prayer to the Lord, that King Ahasuerus would not annihilate the Jews. How is our attitude of prayer in distress?

The things we ask for in prayer can be very revealing of our relationship with God and our attitude towards others. It reveals our values and our wants (which are very self-centred). The deepest prayer of petitioning will be to ask God to shape us with those things which will bring us closer to Him and help us to interact in truth and love with those around us. It is a prayer to be the kind of people we ought to be.

Jesus says in (Matthew 6:8), God already knows our needs so babbling about it is unnecessary. Prayer helps us to become more deeply aware of our real needs. It schools us of our true desire and allow God’s providence to intervene. Take note that today’s Gospel passage ends with the so-called Golden Rule: In everything, do to others as you would have them do to you, for this is the Law and the Prophets. What Jesus says about petitionary prayer is that if we expect God to be providential to us, then surely we are expected to be equally kind and generous to those who come asking for our help?

Lord, I trust You that every prayer is an extension to meet the urgent plea of others.