There are many major gifts from God which we fail to receive because we don't ask for them. The writer of the book of James bluntly states: "You do not obtain because you do not ask" (Jas 4:2). The way to correct this situation is not just to pray more (although that would be helpful), but to repent of our sins and purify our hearts.
Asking the Lord for His blessings is not a matter of saying the right words; by the power of the Spirit, we can make intercession "with groanings that cannot be expressed in speech" (Rm 8:26). Through these groanings, we may receive a superabundance of God's gifts. Someone who is saying all the right words may receive nothing, while someone repenting of wrong things will receive everything.
We must ask to receive, but we must repent to ask. Asking is not primarily a work of the tongue but of the heart. The writer of James teaches: "You ask and you do not receive because you ask wrongly, with a view to squandering what you receive on your pleasures" (Jas 4:3). An unselfish, purified, repentant heart will receive grace, find help, and open heaven. Sacred Heart of Jesus, purify my heart.
| PRAYER: | Father, purify my heart to pray. |
| PROMISE: | "Save us by Your power, and help me, who am alone and have no one but You, O Lord. You know all things." –Est C:25 |
| PRAISE: | Widowed, alone, with ill health, Marta lives daily in the presence of her God, filled with joy in His presence (Ps 16:11). |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College