Men's Rosary

While prayer is part of building one’s relationship with God it also has the dynamic of petitions.  We ask God for things.  We are told to ask God for things, to petition Him.  “Ask, and it will be given to you;  seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”  (Matthew 7:7)  In this asking we are embracing humility, knowing that we are totally dependent of God for everything.  Beware of not praying and asking for yourself, this is really pride destroying humility.  “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins and heal their land.”  (2 Chronicles 7:14)

We must eagerly pray for what we need.  In praying we are to trust in God’s benevolence and know that He will answer.  “O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you, and watch.”  (Psalm 5:3)  Total trust in God is the most important thing to remember.  We do not pray and sit back and see if we get it, we pray knowing that God will hear us and will answer our prayer.  “Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you receive it, and you will.” (Mark 11:24)  The other part of trust is knowing that we ask God for help, the petition, and He decides how to answer it.  We do not pray to God and give Him the solution!  We must always be open and discerning the will of God and unifying our will to His. 

Prayer like this will bring about much peace.  As soon as we trust, we let go and leave it to God.  In leaving it to God, we place ourselves into His arms.  This is consoling.  When we do not let go, we simply worry and stress over things we have no control over.  This is unsettling!   To live a peaceful life, invite God to journey with you in every aspect.

Another thing to remember is to be thankful.  Too often when we receive things we do not say thank you.  This was stressed to us from our parents growing up.  If we failed to thank someone, we heard about it!  God so blesses us every day that praise and thanksgiving should be on our hearts, minds, and lips at all times.  “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”  (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

In our prayer may we grow closer to Christ.  May our relationship deepen.   May we confidently ask God for what we need.  May we humbly accept His help and confidently wait for Him to answer our petitions.  May we surrender to His will and always offer thanks and praise for all that we are blessed with.  In this way, may we live in true peace.  “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body.  And be thankful.”  (Colossians 3:15)

“Jesus does not demand great action from us but simply surrender and gratitude.”  (St. Therese of Lisieux)