Today's liturgy of the word teaches us the importance of prayer of petition. Abraham is humble, persistent and fervent when asking God for mercy over Sodom and Gomorrah. Jesus gives us the prayer of "Our Father" as a model of our daily prayer and He makes it on purpose a prayer of petition. It is also Jesus who encourages us to ask, knock and seek because God wants to listen to our petitions.

We should always remember however that prayer of petitions is not simply a request or information about our needs. God already knows what we need. Nevertheless, He wants to listen to our prayers because His desire is to engage us into a dialogue of love with himself. When we ask God, we realize our dependence on Him, His abundant love of us and we learn how to accept His will and trust in His providence. Prayer of petition prepares us also for the graces that God has already intended to give us.

We have to make our petitions to God with deep trust, humility and perseverance because He is our heavenly and merciful Father who not only knows what we need but it will provide His graces at the proper time. God loves us so much that He never ignores our petitions.