Today’s Gospel reminds us to be persistent in prayer. We are to have a trustful confidence that the Lord will hear and answer us. Although the essential parts of prayer are adoration and thanksgiving, the prayer of petition, like the prayer of contrition, plays a big part in our daily lives. Christ himself has told us to ask him for these needs: “Ask and you shall receive.” Asking with fervor and perseverance proves that we have that great faith we need to receive what Christ wants to grant us in response to our requests.
We must realize, and remember, that we do not always get exactly what we ask for. Rather, God gives us what He knows we really need, what He wants us to have, that is, what is really best for us. As Christians, we also know that our particular request may not always be for our good, or for the final good of the person for whom we are praying. But if the prayer is sincere and persevering, we will always get an answer — one which is better than what we asked for. Hence, let us trust that every time we pray for something, the answer is already on its way, even before we have asked God for it.
We just need to trust God, that, according to His perfect timetable and in His Infinite Wisdom, Love and Goodness, He will give us what He knows is best for us, and that it will be better than what we were requesting.