Prayers are answered…

“We waste most of our time trying to get God to do something He has already done — or praying for God to do something He told us to do” —Heasley. When we ask in prayer, as we must sometimes, let us ask for sight. The sight to see God’s plan at work, everywhere; the sight to appreciate his hand in all things; the sight to understand why, sometimes for our own good, he pays no heed to our demands.

A man, steeped in belief, was in straitened circumstances. He turned, in despair to the Goddess Lakshmi. Day and night, he performed austerities. But nothing happened. His circumstances actually became worse. However, growing wiser, he soon gave up all things material. Then, when he was in the very bliss of meditation, the Goddess appeared. “Ask, my child,” she said. “Anything you want.” “You’ve come too late,” said the man. “Now I have no use for wealth.” The Goddess smiled, “I could have come long years back. I however, loved you too much to grant you your wish.”

Sometimes, our prayers are answered. But not quite in the way we may have wanted. The story goes that every day, without fail, a man prayed. Years passed. And one day, a voice proclaimed, “If you are ever in need, call me.” Soon thereafter, catastrophe struck. Floods overtook the village.
The man stood on his terrace and called out to God. Just then, a little raft passed by, below. “Come, before it’s too late!” his friends called. “I’m waiting for God,” replied the man. A while later, a helicopter flew low. The man repeated to the pilot, “I’m waiting for God.” Finally, the waters engulfed his house. And as the man fell, he shouted, “Lord you promised.” A voice answered, “I came. In a boat and aircraft. That’s twice more than I do for others.”

Finally, prayer calls for individual effort. We cannot, in complete dependence place the entire burden of our life on God. Faith can never be an abandonment of action. A man prayed to win the lottery. Everyday - morning, evening and night. Finally, fed-up of his importuning, God yelled, “Will you at least go buy a ticket?”