Episode 2588: Answered Prayers and the Paradox of God's Will - Nightly Episode

“O my God, at the end of this day I thank You most heartily for all the graces I have received
from You. I am sorry that I have not made better use of them. I am sorry for all the sins I have
committed against You. Forgive me, O my God, and graciously protect me this night. Blessed
Virgin Mary, my dear heavenly mother, take me under your protection. St. Joseph, my dear
Guardian Angel, and all you saints of God, pray for me. Sweet Jesus, have pity on all poor
sinners, and save them from hell. Have mercy on the suffering souls in purgatory. Amen.”
"Answered Prayers and the Paradox of God's Will"
The Mystery of Answered and Unanswered Prayers
Tonights episode where we reflect on two striking insights from Catholic tradition. The first comes from St. Teresa of Avila: “There are more tears shed over answered prayers than over unanswered prayers.” The second, from Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, offers a profound reflection on love and intention: “Do not say we work to go to Heaven because we are mercenary. Does a man love a woman and ask for her hand because he is mercenary? I love poetry; there's no money in it.”
Today, we’ll explore these two statements in depth, understanding how they relate to the nature of prayer, trust in God’s will, and the meaning of love. This episode will challenge us to look beyond a transactional faith and into the deeper meaning of divine providence.
Part 1: Tears Over Answered Prayers – St. Teresa of Avila
St. Teresa’s quote suggests that sometimes what we ask of God is not what we truly need—or even what will lead us to salvation. How often do we pray for something in earnest, only to regret the outcome once it arrives? Proverbs 14:12 tells us: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end, it leads to death.” What seems good to us in the moment may not align with God's greater plan for our sanctification.

Teresa, a Carmelite mystic, experienced profound suffering throughout her life, including chronic illness, opposition from her fellow nuns, and long periods of spiritual dryness. Yet she maintained a deep trust in God, knowing that His wisdom surpasses human understanding. St. Paul reminds us in Romans 8:28: “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Sometimes, the prayers we believe are "unanswered" are God's merciful "no" or "wait." A job we didn’t get, a relationship that failed, or a missed opportunity may actually save us from sin or spiritual stagnation. As Jesus taught us in Matthew 26:39, “Not my will, but Yours be done.”

The paradox St. Teresa highlights teaches us a crucial lesson: Trust in God is not dependent on receiving what we want but on embracing His will, even when it is hard to understand. This is the essence of the Our Father—"Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven."

Part 2: The Intentions of Love – Fulton Sheen on Heaven and Mercenary Faith
In a world that often treats relationships and faith as transactional, Venerable Fulton Sheen offers us a striking insight: Love cannot be reduced to a mere exchange of benefits. “Do not say we work to go to Heaven because we are mercenary,” Sheen warns. “Does a man love a woman and ask for her hand because he is mercenary? I love poetry; there’s no money in it.”

What Sheen beautifully captures is the nature of authentic love—whether in human relationships or with God. Love is not about rewards. A man does not marry a woman because he expects material gain, nor should a Catholic follow Christ simply to secure a place in Heaven. Rather, the goal of our faith is union with God, not as a prize to be won, but as a relationship to be lived.

Sheen’s insight calls us to a purity of intention in our faith. This echoes St. Augustine’s teaching: “Our hearts are restless until they rest in You, O Lord.” We are not "mercenaries" working toward Heaven as if it were a payment, but pilgrims longing for union with our Creator. Matthew 6:33 reminds us: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Part 3: Lessons on Prayer from Saints and Scripture
Prayer, at its heart, is about trust and relationship. As St. Teresa of Avila and Fulton Sheen remind us, we should not treat prayer as a transaction—asking only for what we want—or live our faith solely for the sake of reward. True prayer seeks God’s will, even when it challenges us to surrender our desires.

Consider the story of St. Monica, who prayed for years for the conversion of her son, St. Augustine. Her prayers seemed unanswered for a long time, yet God’s timing was perfect. Augustine’s conversion did not just bring him back to the faith—it made him one of the greatest saints in history.

Similarly, in Luke 18:1-8, Jesus tells the parable of the persistent widow to show us the importance of perseverance in prayer. God invites us to ask, seek, and knock—not to manipulate His will, but to align ourselves with it. St. John of the Cross emphasizes that God answers all prayers, but often not in the way we expect: “The Lord measures our strength, and when He finds us able, He does not hesitate to fulfill His purposes.”

How to Cultivate Trust in God's Will
Daily Surrender in Prayer: Include the words of Christ in Gethsemane—"Thy will be done"—in your personal prayers.
Frequent Confession and the Eucharist: The sacraments keep us close to God’s grace, helping us conform our desires to His will.
Practice Detachment: As St. Ignatius of Loyola taught, remain indifferent to success or failure, trusting that God’s plan is always better.
Invoke the Saints: Ask for the intercession of saints like St. Teresa of Avila and St. Monica, who knew the value of trusting God in uncertainty.
Conclusion: Embracing God's Wisdom in Both Joy and Sorrow
So, what do we take away from today’s reflections? First, God’s will is always for our good, even when it feels difficult or contrary to our desires. Second, our faith is not about earning rewards but about cultivating a loving relationship with our Creator. St. Teresa’s and Fulton Sheen’s insights challenge us to embrace God’s will and love Him purely, without selfish motives.

If we trust that God knows what is best for us, even the tears shed over answered or unanswered prayers become part of His plan for our sanctification. And as Sheen reminds us, love is not about gain but about self-gift—whether toward God or others.

Closing Prayer
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord God,
Teach us to trust You in all circumstances, whether You answer our prayers according to our desires or according to Your divine wisdom. Help us love You for who You are, not for what You give. May we always seek Your will above all things and surrender our lives to Your providence. Through the intercession of St. Teresa of Avila, grant us the grace to persevere in faith. And through the example of Venerable Fulton Sheen, may we learn to love with purity of heart.

We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Thank you for joining us on this episode. Please share your thoughts and reflections with us—we’d love to hear how prayer has shaped your life. Until next time, may God bless you and keep you close to His heart.