In the Gospel of Mark (11:24), Jesus told his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours.” Here, Jesus is emphasizing the power and importance of prayer when approached from a position of deep faith. It’s a true gift. But…

… it does imply a certain cause and effect. I ask, I receive, excellent!

But what am I to think about the seemingly many times when I ask but do not receive? When I seek but don’t quite find?

One perspective – and a good one at that – is that God understands our actual needs and so may not grant us something better characterized as a want. Makes sense. 

But I’d like to suggest that there can be great power and grace by additionally concentrating our prayers on the needs of the unknown other. We often direct our prayerful requests to benefit those we know and who have asked for our prayers. But, as in the case of praying for ourselves, we can more easily ascertain whether those prayers have been answered. I pray that Aunt Mary will be healed from a challenging medical diagnosis. Her health status improves. Success! Cause and effect.

How about praying for people we do not know? And for whom the cause and effect will never be known. For example, we could pray…

… for a victim of violence who experiences abuse, especially at the hand of someone who claims to love her.

… for a mother who is struggling with an unwanted pregnancy; that her child will grow to know love, peace, opportunity, and joy.

… for the homeless teen who feels hopeless in the face of his addictions; that he might come to find relief.

… for the elderly woman who experiences intense loneliness and who believes that she will never again experience happiness, companionship, and the warmth of personal interaction.

… for the parent who worries endlessly about his child who is experiencing severe mental illness; that God will bring healing and consolation to both the parent and child.

… for the man who continues to search for employment but cannot find a job.

… for the young girl whose life has been suddenly and violently torn apart because of war and the unceasing aggression of others.

… for the student who is bullied and ridiculed relentlessly by classmates simply because he is not like them.

… for the tenant who has been evicted from the only home she has ever known.

… or for anyone who struggles deeply, experiences hopelessness, and believes that there is no one who would ever care… care enough to asking the loving, benevolent Father in Heaven to intervene for their sake.

Together, we are the Church that Jesus created. In 2 Corinthians 5:15, we hear: “He indeed died for all, so that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.” Jesus did not come only for his followers – present day and future – but for all. He is the savior to all of humanity. But what of those parts of humanity who have no one who will pray for them?

Our collective prayers, such as “Dear God, please feed the hungry”, are great but I think that we would do well to find someone, someone who we do not know and for whom the impact of our prayer will never be known, and “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). 

Pray without ceasing for that one person.

That suffering stranger needs us.

That suffering stranger needs you.