PRAYING IN HOPE

A good Christian, Anthony, was ill, and his friends gathered to pray for him. One person concluded his prayer by saying: “Lord, you know how much Anthony loves You.”

After a moment of silence Anthony said: “I know you meant well, and I appreciate your prayer, but please don’t plead for my recovery based on my love of God. When Lazarus was ill, Mary and Martha sent for Jesus, but their request was not based on Lazarus’ love for Jesus. The sisters said to Jesus: ‘Lord, he whom You love is sick.’ It is not my weak and faltering allegiance to Jesus that calls forth His attention, but His perfect love for me that is my constant strength

and hope.’

Often faced with needs and intentions for prayer, we are unsure of the best way to pray. Examining the Sacred Scriptures we find the best approach to prayer is total surrender to God.

There is no limit to what God can do when someone prays the “whatever” prayer — the prayer of total surrender to God.

An unassuming maiden named Mary became the Mother of God when at the Annunciation she said “whatever” to God, that is, “I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you say” (Lk 1: 38).

Simon the fisherman became Peter the rock on whose confession of faith that Jesus is Lord, the

Church was built.

A tax collector named Matthew became an evangelist who wrote the first of the four Gospels.

Mary Magdalene, a prostitute, became the first to proclaim the Resurrection. A persecutor named Saul became Paul, the great Apostle to the Gentiles. And the list goes on and on.

“Whatever, Lord! Whatever!” is a prayer that gives God permission to do glorious things with our lives.

The “Whatever” Prayer

Whatever You want, Lord, I want.

Whatever You choose, I choose.

Whatever You say, I’ll do.

Whatever You give, I’ll receive.

Whatever You withhold, I’ll accept.

Whatever You plan, I’ll rejoice in.

Whatever, Lord. Whatever!

The author of this prayer is unknown but it represents an attitude that the saints call abandonment or total surrender to God. It’s giving God permission to do with us whatever He pleases. If we really allow God to be the Lord and Master of our lives, we need to be ready to give up our will for His will, our plans for His plans, and our timetable for His timetable.

Jesus Himself prayed the “whatever prayer” as He was agonizing in the Garden of Gethsemane just before His crucifixion: “My Father, He prayed, Take this cup away from Me. But let it be as You would have it, not as I” (Mk 14: 36). God’s will was done. The crucifixion led to the

Resurrection, and as a result, those who are baptized, who truly believe in Jesus and

follow Him, have eternal life and pass. from death into life.

Reprinted with permission from Awakening Our Treasures; published at the Sower, Stamford, Ct.