Ask in Prayer

On the following day, when they came from Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see whether perhaps he would find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it. Then they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling and those who were buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves; and he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. He was teaching and saying, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” And when the chief priests and the scribes heard it, they kept looking for a way to kill him; for they were afraid of him, because the whole crowd was spellbound by his teaching. And when evening came, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city. In the morning as they passed by, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. Then Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly I tell you, if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and if you do not doubt in your heart, but believe that what you say will come to pass, it will be done for you. So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. “Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.” Mark 11:12-26

There have been times in my life when someone I love is in need of a miracle. And I have prayed, as I always pray. There have been "good" outcomes and "bad" outcomes. I used to think that God didn't answer my prayers. Reflecting, though, on all of the many prayers I have raised, I know that I have received what was needed at the time, and, what once seemed like no answer, was truly the best answer ever. My mother kept a list of questions she had for God. I know she wanted to ask about why a parent has to see the death of their child, and many other, seemingly, unanswered prayers. I am sure she now knows that her prayers were heard and answered, as ours are. May we have the faith to accept that we have received what we need today.

Creator God, who hears our cries

who embraces us like small children

you bind our wounds, dry our tears

and ask us to have faith in the answers.

We often make the prayer lodge a bazaar

and think you do not respond to our needs

yet you, like a perfect, loving parent

watch over us every night and day.

Help us to pray at all times and places

help us make space for others to pray

let us always forgive and let go of hurts

so that we might know your love today. Amen.