God’s Response to Our Prayers – Part One

[Mary Naeem]

H.H. Pope Tawadros II


“Specialized Chapters” (Part 10)
“God’s Response to Our Prayers – Part One”
H.H. Pope Tawadros II delivered his weekly sermon at the Wednesday meeting this evening from the Church of Virgin Mary in Al-Wogoh, Shoubra, which belongs to the churches of the Southern Shoubra Sector. The sermon was broadcast through Christian satellite channels and the online C.O.C. channel of the Church Media Center.

His Holiness inaugurated the Anba Wanas House for Child Services adjacent to the church, toured its facilities, encouraged the children and staff, and also opened the “Al-Karoz” Theater, which had been prepared on the church’s fourth floor. He listened to a set of hymns performed by the “Ti Parthenos” servants choir, then held a meeting with the church’s priests and their families. He spoke with them about “the ear,” which the Church focuses on during the Nativity Fast: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear” (Matthew 11:15).

Afterwards, Pope Tawadros proceeded into the church, preceded by the deacons’ choir chanting the hymns of welcoming the Patriarch. He prayed the Raising of Incense of Vespers, joined by several bishops, in addition to H.G. Bishop Makary (General Bishop of the Southern Shoubra Sector), the General Deputy of the Patriarchate in Cairo, and the priests of the Southern Shoubra churches.

Following Vespers, the deacons’ choir chanted several hymns. H.G. Bishop Makary delivered a welcoming address to His Holiness, after which Hegumen Paula Girgis, priest of the church, welcomed His Holiness on behalf of the clergy. The “Ti Parthenos” servants’ choir and the “Anba Abram” choir also performed a selection of church hymns and praises.

His Holiness honored the church members who obtained doctoral and master’s degrees, as well as those who won medals in various physical and intellectual sports.

Before beginning the sermon, Pope Tawadros said: “I am pleased to visit your beautiful church, which has a distinguished service. Many fathers were raised here and served in numerous places in Egypt and abroad. Many bishops also grew up in this church, as well as many deacons, monks, and nuns. It is a fruitful and comprehensive church in its work, service and activity.”

He added: “H.G. Bishop Makary, together with the beloved fathers the priests, have a well-recognized ministry. I see in the design of the church a sense of reverence that combines authenticity and modernity. I thank you for the beautiful choir accompanied by sign language, the Anba Abram team, and the video that was presented about the church and its milestones—it was wonderful. Both Pope Kyrillos and Pope Shenouda visited this church, and today we take its blessing with you.”

His Holiness continued the series “Specialized Chapters,” and today spoke on the topic “God’s Response to Our Prayers.” He read a passage from the first chapter of the Gospel of St. Luke (verses 1–22). He explained that the Church reads this chapter during the Divine Liturgies of the Sundays of the month of Kiahk, divided into sections. This chapter is called “God’s Response to Prayer,” and also “The Promise and the Fulfillment of the Promise.”

Pope Tawadros discussed how God responds to our prayers as follows:

-A delayed response: God knows the appropriate timing for us, as in the response to the prayers of Hannah, the mother of Samuel: “He has made everything beautiful in its time” (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
-An immediate response: as in the healing of the paralytic lowered through the roof: “When Jesus saw their faith” (Mark 2:5).
-A response greater than the request: as when Solomon asked only for wisdom, yet God granted him far more: “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20).
-A response that does not come: the request is not suitable for us: “And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure” (2 Corinthians 12:7).
-A response with a wake up call: as with Jonah: “Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah” (Jonah 1:17).
-A response beyond worthiness: as with the thief on the cross: “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:42–43).
-A general response: as in: “Speak, for Your servant hears” (1 Samuel 3:10).
-A response with a promise that will be fulfilled at an appointed time: as when we promise a child a gift upon success.
-A joyful response: as in the birth of John the Baptist.

His Holiness reflected on God’s response to prayer through several concepts:

God delays but does not neglect: “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up” (John 11:11).
A delayed response produces saints: “Here is the patience of the saints” (Revelation 14:12).
When the response comes, it brings joy: “And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth” (Luke 1:14).
Delay is not rejection but preparation, shaping the human heart and drawing us closer to God. St. Macarius the Great says: “God prepares the vessel before He pours His grace into it, lest it should break from the weight of the gift.”

After the sermon, Pope Tawadros blessed the congregation present on the ground floor and took photos with them, which brought them noticeable joy.