When I was a boy, I saw a board game that I asked my dad to buy. After searching the department stores, we went to Cartimar. During those times, Cartimar was the place to buy imported goods.

After searching and searching, finally, there was a store that had the toy! My happiness was short-lived though because when my father found out how much the toy was, I got scolded. He said it was extravagant and I should be more simple in my decisions. Eventually, I realized that I may not have gotten what I wanted, but I got what I needed.

In the Gospel, Jesus often talks about prayer, in regards to asking or making requests. Three things we can reflect on:

1. God answers all prayers: “Knock and it shall be open.” God says “Yes,” when it is what is best for us, “No,” because he has a better plan, and “Not Yet,” because the time is not right.
   
2. God knows what is best.  “Will your father give you a snake when you ask for a fish? Or a scorpion when you ask for an egg?” Hence, God will always give us what is best. God will give us what we need. With His wisdom, He knows what we don’t need, and more so, what might even be detrimental.
   
3. Persevere in Prayer. Since God’s time is different from our time, we are reminded to persevere in prayer. Never lose hope as at the very moment of prayer, God is already working on our prayer.