Sunday, July 25, 2010

Unanswered Prayers

"So I say to you, ask and it will be given to you ... For everyone that asks receives." 
Luke 11:9-10


I always had trouble with today's Gospel as a child. 

Like most kids, I took it literally and was sorely disappointed when the hundreds of things I asked God for failed to materialize.

Of course, as I got older, and with the help of this Garth Brooks song, I realized that sometimes God just has to protect us from ourselves and our faulty plans.

And so on occasion, when I am thanking God for all the things He has given to me, I remember to thank Him for all those He purposefully hasn't as well.  

Because as Mr. Brooks put it, sometimes those are God's greatest gifts to us.

God Bless.

9 comments:

Victor S E Moubarak said...

As a child, or even as grown-ups, many of us have difficulties in understanding when He says "no" and "not yet ..."

God bless.

Karinann said...

And sometimes He simply says, "I have something better in mind for you."
Thanks for this one Michael.
God bless!

paramedicgirl said...

About unanswered prayers - St. Alphonsus Liquori says that what God witholds in His mercy, He gives to others in His vengeance.

Now aren't you glad He didn't answer that prayer?

Daily Grace said...

Good post Michael. The thought "be grateful for all things" comes to mind while reading this.

Peace

Happy Catholic said...

Great post Michael! I thank God for some of the prayers that seemed unanswered - at least for a time. They truly were some of His greatest gifts for me.

And I am happily waiting to hear what your five favorite prayers are - saw you tagged for a MEME.

Anonymous said...

Well you know that old saying be careful what you wish for, the same could be said be careful what you pray for. Great post! I just basically put my life in God's hands. God has a plan for all of us. Sometimes now that I'm older and look back on my life I'm amazed at the directions God has taken me in. I hope you have aa great weekend.

Connie Arnold said...

So true! Thanks for sharing that, Michael.

Mary N. said...

Michael,
I'm glad many of my prayers went unanswered when I was young, too! Yikes! When I think of the silly things I asked for I get a bit embarrassed.

Elizabeth Mahlou said...

Sometimes they are just answered in a different way. And sometimes we don't notice that they are answered because we are not looking in the right place.