"Thy Will Be Done ..." Talking with Geronta Pavlos of Sinai.

"Thy Will Be Done ..."

Talking with Geronta Pavlos of Sinai (# 17):

Q When we pray for something from the depths of our heart, and God doesn’t answer, does that mean  our prayer is wrong?

A No. First of all, when we pray, we must not have the demand that God must do what we are seeking, because what we are asking for may not actually be to our benefit. 

There was a faithful family, a poor family, and every day the atmosphere in their home was like a party. At one point, someone gave them money to see what would happen - would they remain happy? He gave them a lot of money. They took the money, and then they began to occupy themselves with what they were going to do with it, how they should use it to most advantage. When the donor next came to visit, he found the house silent; there were no longer any sounds of merriment coming from it. That was it, the evil. He went inside, and as soon as they saw him they said, “Take back your money!”

Therefore, we don’t know whether that which we seek from God is actually to our benefit – it might not be. 

It is better to say, 'My God, Your will – whatever You judge, give me.' That is the best.  And whatever God gives, we should accept.

(Photo by Massimo Pizzocaro at the Burning Bush)