Hello… I was wondering when we pray-can we ask God for things? I don’t mean -ask God for a new housr or new car, etc etc… but for example- me-I’m single/never been married-ask God for a girlfriend… or for direction or for good friends, etc etc…
Or what exactly is the prayer of pettition?
But I’ve heard people say that prayer is a conversation with God-who is our Heavnly Father and our Best Friend=Jesus…
I’m in the process of my conversion now so I still don’t understand prayer too well. Even though I love going to adoration and praying the Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet too.
Thanks…
Of course it is ok to ask for things. I have, on many occasions asked my earthly father for things (everything from cake after dinner to help fixing my first car) and do the same with my heavenly Father (no, I’ve never prayed for cake after dinner).
One of the things to remember is that, as your heavenly Father, He wants what is best for you – and knows better than you do what that is. Your view of your needs is limited by your position in time (you can’t perceive all the effects of you receiving what you ask for) and your limited knowledge of the options available (you only know what you know.) God has neither of these limitations and may (usually does) have better plans for us then we can imagine on our own.
I prayed many, many times asking Jesus to help me find a nice girl who was serious about her faith who would become my wife. Oh, about 15 years ago I met a really beautiful lady from Canada. That was the last place I expected to find the woman who would eventually become my wife. We’ve been married for 12 years, have 2 great kids and are very happy., I don’t know whether that would have happened without going before the Lord and asking.
Now, I would caveat this by saying that asking for things is not the only type of prayer. Some people treat God as a holy slot machine. The pay Him no attention until they need something – then they say a couple prayers, “pull the handle” and hope to hit the jackpot.
This doesn’t sound like you, but I know people that function that way and get upset and angry at God when they don’t get what they asked for. What they fail to realize is that God might have a better plan for them then they can come up with on their own – they just need to cooperate with Him.
I’m glad to hear that you are going to Adoration, that is a wonderful place to just sit and talk with Jesus. Tell Him that you are lonely and that you want to find someone to spend your life with. Ask Him to help you find someone who will help you make your spiritual journey through life. Tell Him that it is hard being single without a girlfriend.
I’d also suggest working on being places where you can meet someone who is on a similar faith journey as you. Maybe a young Catholic singles group or a “Theology On Tap” meeting if they have them around you. Ask your priest if there are Catholic singles groups in the parish or in the area that he knows. You may or may not find a girlfriend in those groups, but you should find some good friends that can help you on your journey and have some fun along the way.
