The Infamous Question

"Why doesn't God answer my prayers?"

Everyone who reads this post has probably heard that question at least once.  Some of us have even asked that question (to ourselves or to others explicitly), perhaps on multiple occassions.  Well, the answer is clear!

We've all heard the cliche: God does answer prayers; sometimes He answers with "No."  Indeed, He does, and such is His divine, omniscient prerogative!  However, in this author's own prayers and meditations, it seems necessary to seek a deeper explanation.

The Gospel of John offers a wonderful insight: "We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if any one is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him" (Jn. 9:31).  Thus we can explain the lack of "acceptable" answers from the Giver.  Only when we cut sin out of our lives (a difficult task in its own right), worship God properly, and conform our will to His do we begin to receive the answers for which we beg.

There is, however, an underlying truth not immediately recognizable.  We should never be so naive as to think that God will provide the answers that we want simply because we do exactly as He tells us.  On the contrary, once we participate in Reconciliation, Penance, Divine Liturgy, and submission of personal will, we experience profound conversion.  That conversion of heart creates in us a desire not to tell God what He must do for us; but to truly seek God's answer before we begin to ask any questions.

God has exercised this Divine methodology in this author's life over the course of four years.  There is no doubt that He wants to do the same in the lives of every other human.  Indeed, it is the methodology by which we will merit Eternal Life.

God bless!

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