Expert: George A. Card,sfo, M.I - 12/31/2007

Question
Practicing Catholic for all 48 years of my life.  Why do we pray for things?  Like to cure illnesses, get employment, etc.  Should we not pray for "things" but for thanks and forgiveness only?  If we pray for "things", most are not answered.  How do you determine which are answered because of man or because of prayer?

Answer
Peace

dear Tim,
   It ok to pray for things as long as we recognize the creator of those things. Not only are we to thank God and ask for His merciful forgiveness but to praise/adore Him.
    You ask: How do you determine which are answered because of man or because of prayer?
     Your question reminds me of a story. There was an old woman who owned and lived in boarding house. She was a very devote woman of prayer, always and for the needs of others. One of her roomer was an atheist. Every night she would say her prayers in her room and pray for the conversion of that roomer. He could always hear her through a vent. One night she prayed for some extra money for some meds a friend needed. That night the roomer heard her as usual. He decided he would get the meds for her. The next he gave her the meds saying: Here and I am greater than your God for I answered your prayers. She smiled and said: Lord thank for the meds. He said "wait, I gave you the meds not your God".
She smiled again and said: "Lord thanks again for meds and thank you for allowing the pride of this atheist to be used for your glory. And bless him with a true conversion to  Your will.

Hope this story is of some use.

              Your servant but His first
                     George