Speaking at the Wednesday General Audience, His Holiness Pope Francis said that “Jesus reminds us in the ‘Our Father’ of the need to persevere in prayer.” His Holiness Pope Francis focused his remarks on the age-old question about why, at times, it seems that God does not answer our prayers.
As reported by Vatican news, The Pontiff said Jesus’ entire life was “steeped in prayer”. “Every step of Jesus’ life was pushed by the breath of the Spirit, who guides him in each of his actions.” His Holiness Pope Francis said that “this is most visible in the events of his Passion. Jesus intercedes for Peter who will soon deny him. He prays for those who crucified him. His last words are a confession of trust in the will of the Father.” Further, His Holiness added, “Jesus’ prayer seems to cushion the most violent of emotions – the desire for revenge and retaliation – and to reconcile us with our most bitter enemy: death.”
His Holiness Pope Francis said Jesus adds two parables after the prayer that reminds us to be constant in prayer and to trust unwaveringly that God will answer our prayers. One is the friend who importunes his neighbor for some bread to offer a guest. Next, Jesus offers the example of a father who has a hungry child: “What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish?” His Holiness Pope Francis concluded his remarks by reminding that we can be absolutely positive that “God will respond.”
