Jul 27 2008
What do we Pray For and is it What We Should be Praying For
In going through the readings for this Sunday, it was not the Gospel that stood out for me but the First Reading:
At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” And Solomon said, “Thou hast shown great and steadfast love to thy servant David my father, because he walked before thee in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward thee; and thou hast kept for him this great and steadfast love, and hast given him a son to sit on his throne this day. And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And thy servant is in the midst of thy people whom thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered or counted for multitude. Give thy servant therefore an understanding mind to govern thy people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to govern this thy great people?” It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. (1 Kings 3: 5-13 RSV)
In this I see, that when praying for ourselves, we need to be careful what we pray for. It should not be prideful and for wealth as those who follow the “prosperity Gospel” do. We should be humble and ask to God guide us in doing what is right even if it means we suffer in the choice. Riches and comfort in this life is usually a hindrance to the riches of the next life.
