Having lost my car in an accident (not my fault since you asked) I was desperate to get a replacement. Don’t be alarmed, the story happened nearly a quarter of a century ago. Short of money, my only option was to buy a second-hand car which was at that time rather risky. People running such businesses were infamous for flogging post-accident cars, patched-up enough to make a good first impression but turning quickly into a very costly endeavour for their new owners in maintenance and running costs. As I said, I was desperate to get a new car for my work, so I found one falling within my budget and meeting my rather modest needs. The salesman very keenly presented the car as the best deal in the world. Having almost made up my mind to buy it I requested a check-up of the car in question in my trusted mechanic’s garage before the final decision was made. That was quickly arranged. The mechanic soon indicated that I shouldn’t buy the car; only later on did I learn that the salesman had tried to persuade him to cover up the car’s faults. In fact, according to the mechanic, it wasn’t just faulty; it was dangerous to drive. The deal obviously collapsed; I was saved but left without a car. A couple of weeks later the mechanic told me about a reliable, well-maintained second-hand car that would suit my needs. Incidentally, it turned out that the need for a new car wasn’t as urgent as I had thought.
One of the most obvious practices in any religion is prayer. It’s an essential part of virtually every religious faith as a way of communicating with the divine. Its form is shaped by the particularities and peculiarities of a specific faith. Our own, Christian example of that is the Lord’s Prayer as presented in today’s gospel. It’s not rare that people treat specific prayers in a magical way. Some forms of performing prayers indicate that more clearly than others. By reciting specific prayers in a particular way or form, the prescribed number of times, we are guaranteed the expected outcome as if God has been forced to act and fulfil our wishes. Such a magical attitude seems to be supported by today’s gospel. Firstly, Jesus gave his followers a specific prayer (the Our Father) and then instructed them to persevere in their attempts to get from God what they wanted: “Ask, and it will be given to you […] For the one who asks always receives.” Unanswered prayers are one of the most frequent causes of people’s frustration. It might lead to dropping the practice; sometimes the frustration is so great that people completely give up on religion. Only God knows how many potential lottery winners have fallen out with Him for not providing the winning numbers…
Prayer is one of the most commonly misunderstood religious practices, despite being the simplest and most effective form if practised the correct way. Admittedly, today’s readings can give us the impression that prayer’s purpose is to change God’s mind, to bend His will to ours. In fact, it’s the opposite. Jesus hinted at that in today’s gospel: “What father among you would hand his son a stone when he asked for bread? Or hand him a snake instead of a fish? Or hand him a scorpion if he asked for an egg? If you then, who are evil, know how to give your children what is good, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” We could reverse those obvious questions and ask what father would offer anything dangerous to his child even if asked. No responsible parent would give their child a hand grenade to play with even if the child insists on that and throws a tantrum. In today’s gospel – as in many other passages – Jesus didn’t promise that God would fulfil our each and every whim. In the Lord’s Prayer Jesus listed what we should desire and then instructed us to persevere in asking for God’s help to make it happen in our lives. Prayer is the way to bend my will to God’s, based on the trust that He loves me and knows what’s good for me.
I think that’s the reason we struggle with prayer. We live in a cultural climate where individualism paired with instant gratification is a way of life. What do I want? This or that. When do I want it? Now! Modern technology – although itself innocent – has made following and fulfilling our whims so much easier. The world and its pleasures are literally at our fingertips via computer screens or smartphones. Consequently, we don’t take ‘No’ for an answer; when that happens, we get frustrated or angry. We are increasingly unhappy to have our choices questioned or denied. We look for affirmation rather than a critical view or comment. Our prayers are made in this fashion: we present our own plans to God and expect His unconditional seal of approval rather than looking for His opinion on the matter; in fact, sometimes we blatantly ignore it and follow through with our plans regardless. Funnily enough, when the consequences of our unquestioned, unchallenged decisions have turned sour or worse, everyone else – God included – is blamed for it.
A woman approached the priest and complained that she had asked God to win the lottery. ‘I have prayed a hundred times’ she said, ‘but God has never answered!’ In response, the priest said: ‘I can assure you that God has answered every one of your prayers; He’s done it a hundred times.’