Prayers
Sunday, January 20, 2008
In my prayers, I often ask God for ... nothing. I believe that God knows everything and will grant me without my asking for it, when and what is right for me. However, in a book that I am reading, the author brings in a very interesting perspective about the specificity and deliberation of prayers. To make her point, she shares this lore.
A poor man goes to Church every day and prays before the statue of a great saint, begging, "Dear Saint - please, please, please ... give me the grace to win the lottery. " This lament goes on for months. Finally the exasperated statue comes to life, looks down at the begging man and says in weary disgust, "My son - please, please, please ... buy a ticket."
Now, if You were to let me win the lottery, God, will you also not create circumstances that will make me buy the tickets as well? I trust you - completely, blindly!
A poor man goes to Church every day and prays before the statue of a great saint, begging, "Dear Saint - please, please, please ... give me the grace to win the lottery. " This lament goes on for months. Finally the exasperated statue comes to life, looks down at the begging man and says in weary disgust, "My son - please, please, please ... buy a ticket."
Now, if You were to let me win the lottery, God, will you also not create circumstances that will make me buy the tickets as well? I trust you - completely, blindly!
