Grace That Sets Us Free

DAY FIVE

Ask Jesus For What You Need

When something matters deeply to us, it is natural to want a particular outcome. We want the relationship repaired, the diagnosis changed, the decision made, the person to come back, the situation to finally make sense. But prayer is more than asking God to arrange things according to our plans. Jesus invites us to bring our needs to Him honestly, while remaining open to what He may do. Mary shows us this at Cana. She saw a problem and brought it to Jesus without telling Him how he had to solve it. Today, bring your deepest need to Jesus. Ask Him for the grace you most need, and trust Him with everything else. Ask Jesus for what you need.

IN EVERYTHING BY PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION WITH THANKSGIVING
LET YOUR REQUESTS BE MADE KNOWN TO GOD.
PHILIPPIANS 4:6

God does not ask us to stop asking. We can bring our hopes, fears and needs to Him. Prayer allows us to ask boldly while leaving the outcome in His hands.

YOUR INVITATION

Think about your knot and ask yourself: What grace do I most need right now?

Perhaps you need courage, patience, forgiveness, wisdom, healing, peace or the strength to let go. Name that grace simply. Then ask Jesus for it.

You might pray: Jesus, give me the grace to…

Stay with that prayer for a few moments, without adding a list of everything else you would like Him to change.

PRAYING WITH MARY

Mary, help me to ask Jesus for the grace I need. Teach me to pray with confidence while leaving the answer in his hands. When my hopes become demands, soften my heart. Accompany me as I go to Jesus who knows what I need and loves me more deeply than I can understand.

Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.

—

Hail, Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou amongst women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.