Todays Readings:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010921.cfm
When I was doing some reading in preparing for this reflection I came upon another reflection on today’s first reading from the first chapter of John. The book of 1st John is centered on reaffirmation of the teaching of the apostles that Jesus was both soundly human and totally divine. There were heresies at the time questioning these teachings when John wrote the book at the end of the 1st century. John uses his writings to clarify Christian teaching and connect these theologies with proper moral conduct.
In this section of the 5th chapter John discusses the nature of prayer. He notes that prayer is not meant to change God’s will but rather to bring our own views more in line with that of the Father. A famous line by St. Ambrose, in his discussion with St. Monica about her son, St. Augustine, was uttered to help Monica better come to grips about the purpose of prayer. Monica had spent years trying to get her son to give up his sinful life and return to the Church and follow the ways of Christ. She was having little success. Ambrose’s advice to Monica was to “Speak less to Augustine about God and more to God about Augustine”. Eventually, Augustine fell under the teaching of Ambrose and became one of the foremost Doctors of the Church.
And how do we pray? I think that one of the ways to describe prayer is to take a line attributed to St. Francis of Assisi on preaching the Gospel nd apply it to prayer. The famous line goes: “Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary”. And when we pray, we should pray constantly. And occasionally use words. Our every action should be guided by God’s desires for us and we can only know this desire by asking him.
The reflection that I referred to in the first paragraph stated that effective prayer involved four principles:
- the prayer request should be in line with what God has revealed in Christ and the Scriptures
- the prayer should draw you closer to God
- the prayer should involve what is best for everyone
- the prayer should be spoken with the idea that we are always seeking the kingdom of God first. Always putting God first.
Jesus seemed to be saying as such when He spoke in today’s Gospel. “No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven”. So there are parameters as to what makes effective and righteous prayer requests. Asking for something that is immoral, unethical, causes pain for others or something that will drive you away from God is likely not something God would grant. Prayer should ultimately serve to conform your will to the will of God.
My wife is a member of Rotary International. It is a service organization that has its focus to bring improvement to lives locally and around the world. They are most known for their efforts in helping to eradicate polio in the world. Before their meetings, all members recite what is called the Four Way Test. It is what governs their actions and direction. Its points are:
- Is the action the truth?
- Is it fair to all concerned?
- Will it bring goodwill and better friendships?
- Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
If an activity that the group is planning does not meet all these parameters, it is scrapped. And so it should be with prayer. If the purpose of prayer is to join an individual’s will to that of God, and God is love, then all prayer requests should have love as its center. And, ultimately, prayer should incorporate the understanding that “thy will be done”…not our own. God sees the big picture and knows the Four Way Test better than any of us.
If you remember the TV game show, Who Wants to be a Millionaire, the contestant had three life lines they could use to help get an answer correct. The could ask the audience, they could narrow down the choices to just two, or they could phone a friend. Someone they trust who will know the right answer. So if we want to know the answer to a pressing concern, and we need to know the will of God. His answer. Use your life line. Give him a call.
