The theme of prayer in the readings of today's weekday Mass spikes our attention: Queen Esther prostrates herself all day before God, pleading from her inner depths for the protection of her people; Jesus tells us to "ask and we shall receive, knock and the door will be opened to us." (cf. Mt 7:7). An old adage has it that "there are no atheists in foxholes", that in times of desperation, recourse to prayer comes even to those who ordinarily do not pray, consider prayer useless, or do not want to admit any sort of dependency on God or any force outside themselves. Yet, these are the very people who know how to give good gifts to their children, and in the case of an emergency regarding their well being, would resort to prayer...of some sort. They too have the natural inclination to pray without, perhaps, even realizing it.
Queen Esther's prayer, on the other hand, is a model for ours: "Now help me, who am alone and have no one but you, O Lord, my God." (Est C12:14). A Queen prays thus, body out flat, a sign of total acceptance of her lowly state before God and of her total need for him, and words emanating from her gut. Such a prayer has the humility that goes with the asking and knocking that Jesus talks about.
We acknowledge that most of our prayers are of petition (followed by a few prayers of gratitude at least), but in so doing, we are giving glory and praise to God by admitting that all comes from him and without him, we can do nothing. God, evidently is pleased with this attitude and is quick to respond, even if it's "No. I have something better in mind."
Bro. Rene
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