575. How may we strengthen our filial trust? (part 1)
(Comp 575) Filial trust is tested when
we think we are not heard. We must therefore ask ourselves if we think God is
truly a Father whose will we seek to fulfill, or simply a means to obtain what
we want. If our prayer is united to that of Jesus, we know that he gives us
much more than this or that gift. We receive the Holy Spirit who transforms our
heart.
“In brief”
(CCC 2756) Filial trust is put to the test when we feel that
our prayer is not always heard. The Gospel invites us to ask ourselves about
the conformity of our prayer to the desire of the Spirit.
To deepen and explain
(CCC 2734) Filial trust is tested
- it proves itself - in tribulation (Cf. Rom 5:3-5). The principal difficulty
concerns the prayer of petition, for
oneself or for others in intercession. Some even stop praying because they
think their petition is not heard. Here two questions should be asked: Why do
we think our petition has not been heard? How is our prayer heard, how is it
"efficacious"? (CCC 2735) In the
first place, we ought to be astonished by this fact: when we praise God or give
him thanks for his benefits in general, we are not particularly concerned
whether or not our prayer is acceptable to him. On the other hand, we demand to
see the results of our petitions. What is the image of God that motivates our
prayer: an instrument to be used? or the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ?
Reflection
(CCC 2736) Are we convinced that
"we do not know how to pray as we ought"? (Rom 8:26). Are we asking
God for "what is good for us"? Our Father knows what we need before
we ask him (Cf. Mt 6:8), but he awaits our petition because the dignity of his
children lies in their freedom. We must pray, then, with his Spirit of freedom,
to be able truly to know what he wants (Cf. Rom 8:27). [IT CONTINUES]
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