When Unlikely Prayers are Answered

Wow!!! Yes, that is the correct word to begin this blog post! I think I am still in shock! On the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus our country just experienced the overturning of an almost 50-year-old law regarding abortion. Roe vs. Wade was overturned! To be honest, I didn’t think I would ever see this in my lifetime. My 12-year-old daughter was the first to see the news story about 10 minutes after the vote! She screamed, “Mom, RVW was overturned!” I said, “NO WAY!!!” and immediately went to my computer to look at the news. She was in fact correct and tears began to stream down my face! I do not know why my first reaction was disbelief. I have been praying for the sanctity of life and the reversal of RVW for my entire life…When Unlikely Prayers are Answered…

My prayers were heartfelt and hopeful, so why was I surprised that my faithful God answered prayers in His time and in His way? What am I called to do now that my prayers were answered? I found the answer to that second question a little bit easier than the answer to my first.

Let’s tackle that second question? What do I do know that my prayers were answered? First, I knew I needed to renew my belief in the power of prayer and the power of my God! St. Padre Pio once said, “Prayer is the best weapon we possess. It is the key that opens the heart of God!” Our all-powerful God desires us to pray to Him because prayer stretches our hearts and continues to grow our faith. I began to think; How many Rosaries and Masses have been prayed for an end to abortion since 1973? There is way too many to count…regardless, what we can learn is that our prayers matter…they make a difference. Our small efforts and God’s immeasurable grace can do great things TOGETHER.

I think that it is normal to be in shock at the greatness of God. When unlikely prayers are answered (50 years of waiting) the first thing to do is offer thanksgiving to our good and faithful God. The world is still in shock…the goodness of life triumphed over evil and death. The culture of death has been so prevalent in our world for so long it is only natural that we be in shock. However, those of us in shock and awe are on the other side of some very angry and devastated American’s. The ripple effects that this supreme court decision will make are many. The work has just begun. God won over six supreme court justices…now we must continue praying that God will win over the pro-choice culture. So, the answer to this prayer is the beginning of a new and even more fervent prayer for our country and our individual states.

Now how about that first question…why was I so surprised that my prayers were answered? Did I have a lack of faith or was it that I was so shocked that Christian values triumphed in our society? Regardless of the reason, my reaction was one of shock and surprise and I found that that shock humbled me. I was amazed at the greatness of God! God knows what we need, and He also knows exactly when we need it! Our merciful God knew that the Christian faithful needed this big win to continue encouraging us on this faith journey. This answered prayer WILL renew us and keep our prayers fervently coming for those who struggle to understand the value and sanctity of life. When these long-awaited prayers are answered we find humility and realize how dependent we must be on God’s grace.

Jesus has always been a miracle worker! He multiplied loaves and fishes, rose Lazarus from the dead, healed blind and crippled men. The people in those Gospel stories knew their limits and depended solely on Christ’s mercy to answer their prayers. Our relationship with God is no different than the relationship Christ had with those people in the Gospel who approached Christ in their moments of need. He is that same God and wants to offer miracles in our lives too. Last Friday we experienced a miracle…a gift from God to keep us moving forward in the fight for the sanctity of life. May we allow this miracle to transform our lives and keep fervently praying for more miracles in this fight for life!