Prayers of Petition

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saklocke

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I have a question regarding the value of prayers of petition. As I understand it, we should always pray with the attitude that “not our will, but God’s will be done.” If this is true, aren’t prayers of petition irrelevant? Are we not simply asking God to do what He wants to do anyway? What am I missing here?

Thanks for your help.
 
I believe that God’s will is vast and inconceivable to us mortals. One way that helps me understand it a little better is to think of God’s will as including a large number of possible scenarios that fit within his plans for us.

It is up to us to let God know what we really want - as long as it fits within his plans for us.

We are his children and He is our Father. Children let their parents know what they want in a variety of ways. Some children are more persistent than others. And most parents have a wide variety of possible scenarios that can fit within their overall plans for their children.
 
Prayers of petition are throughout the Bible and encouraged by Our Lord himself. While such prayers are not necessary to God they are necessary to us. We are to ask for what we need as an act of humility–a recognition that we are but creatures in need of God’s constant care. We also don’t receive what we need most if we don’t ask, things like grow in virtue and for God’s graces. Are not the Sacraments prayers for grace? We also pray for others, and in doing so we realize how we are to help them and to offer thanks for all we’ve been given. And the list goes on as to the benefits of prayers of petition.
 
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