“Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them?” (Luke 18:7)

Would not ‘call out to him day and night’ contradict with “in praying, do not babble like the pagans” (Matt. 6:7)? On the surface, it looks like it is contradictory, but in reality it is not because the latter’s intention lacks faith in the Lord, and the former is like a devoted son’s pleadings.

In reality, Jesus had explained: “Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Matt. 6:8)

Yet Jesus had also stressed: “All that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours.” (Mark 11:24)

The final goal that Jesus demands of us is to follow the will of God the Father. This is also the purpose of our prayer.

What we are certain is that God the Father has a plan for us: “Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted.” (Matt. 10:29-30)

What we are uncertain is whether our decision-making is fitting with the will of God.

Holy Mother Mary is our good example. When she replied to Angel Gabriel’s message she said: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." (Luke 1:38)

The shortest way to the kingdom of heaven is to rely on God’s plan for us.