Pray for favors, but trust in God's will, Pope says

December 14, 2011

Continuing his series of talks on the prayer life of Jesus, Pope Benedict XVI devoted his weekly public audience of December 14 to an examination of two cases in which Jesus prayed before working a miracle: in curing the deaf man (Mk 7:32-37) and in raising Lazarus. In each case, the Pontiff reminded the crowd in the Paul VI auditorium, Jesus prayed to his Father before performing the cure. This “demonstrates that the cures worked by Jesus were connected with the intensity of his relationships, both with others and with the Father.”

In the case of the deaf man, Jesus sighed before he touched the man, showing his compassion. Before raising Lazarus He wept. In each case the Lord showed his human emotions. But Pope Benedict observed that Christ also saw the situations in the light of his own mission on earth, carrying out the Father’s will.

“Jesus’ example teaches us that in our own prayers we must always trust in the Father’s will and strive to see all things in the light of his mysterious plan of love,” the Pope said. “Beyond anything that God may give us when we invoke Him, the greatest gift He can give us is his friendship, his presence, his love.”

 

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Further information:

• Praying to the Father in Order to Help Those Who Suffer (VIS)
• Pope Benedict: Trusting in God’s answers to our prayers (Vatican Radio)