Many years ago there was a Catholic monk who needed olive oil, so he planted an olive tree sapling. After he finished planting it, he prayed, “Lord, my tree needs rain so it’s tender roots may drink and grow. Send gentle showers.” And the Lord sent gentle showers. Then the monk prayed, “Lord, my tree needs sun. Please send it sun.” And the sun shone gilding the once dripping clouds. “Now send frost dear Lord to strengthen it’s branches,” cried the monk. And soon the little tree was covered in sparkling frost, but by that evening it had died.

Then the monk sought out a brother monk in his cell and told him of the strange experience. After hearing the story, the other monk said, “I too have planted a little tree. See how it is thriving! But I entrust my tree to it’s God. He who made it knows better than a man like me what it needs. I gave God no constraints or conditions, except to pray, “Lord, send what it needs – be it sunshine, wind, rain or frost. You made it and You know what it needs.”

Let us not pray for what we want, but let us pray for what God wants for us. And remember that we are to come to Him as a child and that God answers all prayers, but sometimes the answer is “No” because He knows better what we need!

See how the lilies of the field grow. (Matt 6:28)