People who pray find their prayers answered. So, we get in the habit of asking God for things we want for ourselves and for others.
There is some degree of vanity in this. “Please, God, give me that new job.” “Please, God, cure my malady.” “Please God, help so-and-so with their problem.” “Please, God, let this deal work out.”
This morning, I found myself beginning a Rosary with these words. “Please God, grant me what I do not pray for but that you want me to have.”
I was actually frightened. It is a frightening prayer. A scary prayer. I was putting myself in His hands. Did He want me to learn humility through disease or poverty? Did He want to teach me some horribly painful lesson? It left me almost petrified with fear.
But. I began, ended, and interspersed each Decade with, “Please God, grant me what I do not pray for but that you want me to have.”
Frankly, I am very, very fearful. It’s a scary prayer.
I’ll let you know how it works out. If I can. That’s what a scary prayer it is.
