As I was reading today’s Gospel, I was struck by Philip’s statement that if he could just see the Father, he would be satisfied. While to us, observers, reading these accounts of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection some millennia later this seems ridiculous – Jesus is literally right next to Philip! I awkwardly recognise myself in Philip’s plea. How often am I in the presence of Jesus but am so caught up in my own expectations that I don’t recognise the fullness of what this means?

It’s fitting that today’s reading finishes with ‘I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son’ (Jn 14:13). As people of faith, we know that prayer is important but as human beings, sometimes our expectations of what that should look and feel like, and what the answer to our prayer ‘should be’ can rob us of what it means to ask.

Believing in Jesus involves not only acknowledging His existence but also trusting in His love, mercy and power to work in our lives. When we pray in His name, we are aligning our requests with His will and seeking His glory above all else. This kind of prayer is rooted in faith and surrender, recognising that God’s plans are greater than our own.

+ Jesus, today may we have the grace to ask in faith for what we need and let go of our expectations of how you choose to respond.

 by Emma Plant