A small boy praying in church said loudly: “Lord, bigyan ako…cheeseburger, French fries, apple pie, strawberry shake, diet Coke…” A priest, who’s passing by, said: “Iho, nanalangin ka ba o nag-oorder sa Diyos?” (Son, are you praying or ordering God?).

When we pray, we don’t order God. As the saying goes: “Man proposes; God disposes.”

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In this Sunday's gospel the evangelist Luke suggests that prayer begins with the risk of asking (‘Lord, teach us to pray’). It is entrusting oneself to silence and uncertainty.

God is not at our disposal. We give him the freedom to answer “yes,” “no,” or “wait.” For if we want to get what we want every time we pray, we are not praying but ordering God.

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Once a father in a family was diagnosed to have terminal cancer of the lungs. He was given two months to live. The children stormed heaven, begging God to spare their father or prolong his life. Unfortunately, the father died even earlier than the predicted two months.

The mother who had a broader perception told her children, “God answered your prayer, but in a different way. He didn’t want your father to suffer long and terrible pains so he took him away much earlier.”

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Some people complain that they always pray, but don’t get what they’re asking for. One reason why that happens is because we don’t work to attain it. We forget the other side of prayer — our side.

For instance, we pray for peace and harmony in our families but the children don’t obey and respect their parents.

Or, a relationship can break if a spouse is unfaithful or one party keeps on nagging her spouse. Reminds me of the wife who kept on insisting she was right…so she was left (behind)!

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The gospel message this Sunday concludes with Christ’s admonition to persevere in prayer. This persevering spirit is illustrated in the first reading when Abraham bargains with God to spare the sinful cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18,20-32).

Likewise, in the gospel story, the sleepy friend responds to the importuning of his neighbor not because he is generous, but because of the latter’s annoying persistence (‘makulit’).

“If you, evil as you are, can be generous with your fellowmen,” Christ concludes, “how much more with your heavenly Father” (Lk 11,13).

So, don’t give up praying.

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