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sking in prayer is not a matter of drawing up some wish list like a child in search of the perfect Christmas gift. <\/SPAN>Nor is it about instant gratification, or even receiving the basic necessities in life. <\/SPAN>If this were the case, then we would have to wonder why God answers some prayers, while seemingly ignoring others. <\/SPAN>Yes, there are those memorable moments when we do receive exactly what we have set our hearts upon, but more often than not, God does not seem in a hurry to bend to our will. <\/SPAN>Prayer is not some magical formula which puts God at our command. <\/SPAN><\/o:p><\/SPAN><\/P>\n

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Asking, seeking and knocking are spiritual actions which result in receiving, finding and being opened to. Whenever we are on a spiritual journey seeking God or a deeper relationship with him, we know that we can pray for healing or for gifts of wisdom and discernment, for stronger faith or more opportunities to love. <\/SPAN>God does, indeed, respond to these requests. Prayer, after all, is about opening ourselves to God’s presence; <\/SPAN>the door opens when we learn to pray as God would have us pray.<\/o:p><\/SPAN><\/P>");