Wednesday, March 4

Scripture for the Day:

‘Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him! ‘In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets. – Matthew 7:7-12

Reflection – Bridget Bilgrei

Reverend Kate often urges us to be bold and pray for things that seem too much to ask for, to be open to miracles. I’ve been trying that and I have to admit, I haven’t been getting exactly what I’ve been asking for.

There was a time in my life that this would have convinced me that prayers don’t really get answered, so why bother? But now I look at it a different way - we just don’t always get the answer we’re hoping for. For instance, I have been asking God for some time to heal a loved one who has a type of cancer that is very difficult to treat. Unfortunately, tests have yet to reveal that the tumors have miraculously disappeared. The doctor who diagnosed her told her things looked “bleak” and a myriad of medical websites told her she only had a few months to live. That was almost two years ago. Isn’t that a miracle right there? She has an incredibly gifted oncologist who assures her that she will be at her grandson’s bar mitzvah this fall. She is not at all religious and credits her doctor with the fact that she is still here. Her doctor is an Orthodox Jew and he gives all the credit to God.

To ponder and pray: What are some of the “good things” that God has given you? What is one thing you’re afraid to ask God to give you? What might happen if you took the risk of bringing that forward in prayer – not to “get” it, but to share it with the One who loves you?