Fr. Jude Nkemakornam Ikeaja
There are times when we feel that God is not answering our prayers. Sometimes, we might think He does not even exist. This is because our conditions remain the same even though we pray and fast and wait on God. Sometimes when these happen, we lose hope, and some people begin to even hate God. Some people become sad, full of depression and even stop believing God.
One important thing we have to understand today is that prayer is not a mechanism to force God to do what we want, but prayer is what we ought to do every day as children of God. Whether good or bad, we must not stop praying. To pray and lose heart should not actually be mentioned among the children of God. Having what we want from God and not having it is not a condition for why we are to love God or hate Him.
So, Jesus encourages His disciples never to lose heart when they come before the presence of God. Let us now see the reasons we are to pray and not lose heart from the gospel.
Jesus says in the gospel, that even if the judge delays in helping, I tell you he will surely grant justice to the woman. Jesus then asks “Now will not God see justice done to his chosen who cry to him day and night even when he delays to help them? I promise you, He will see justice done to them, and done speedily”.
In the same way, even if God seems to delay, surely, He will one day surprise His children who call on Him day and night.
Thus, the problem then is that when it seems our prayers are delayed, we lose hope and become discouraged. Therefore, whether good or bad, do not pray and lose heart. Our persistence in prayer is not a force to change God’s mind but a sign of trust that He will one day remember you. Perseverance in Prayer is a Sign We are Truly in Need.
I remember one of the words of my professor then. He would normally say, “if you are seriously in need of something, then do as if you need it” if you want first-class, work, like one who needs it. If you need money, then work like one who is in need. Hence, if we need something from God, we are also to show the signs that we are so much in need of it.
The way we approach God in prayer reveals the depth of our need. If you need a job in a company, you will work relentlessly for it. To pray and stay strong shows we are truly in need, but to pray and lose heart often shows we are not even serious in what we are asking for. Perseverance is a Sign of Obedience.
If God says, we should not pray and lose heart, then we should not pray and lose heart. If He says to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:16-28) then we have to pray without ceasing. So, to pray and not to lose heart is also a pointer that we are obeying God. And God loves those who obey Him. (1 John 5:3). So, remain strong.
May God give us the strength to remain resolute even in difficulties. May He also answer your prayers. Amen