День Седьмой. Alexey Uminskiy
YouTube
Fr. Alexey Uminsky on asking God for material needs
3:47
Father Alexey Uminsky addresses whether Christians may ask God for material goods such as a home or employment. The questioner notes that some priests say it is fine but wonders why we should ask if God already knows our needs. The host references a program titled "Why doesn't God hear our prayers?" that discusses the Gospel words "Ask and you will receive" and "Whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you."
Father Alexey affirms that we can ask God for material help, pointing to the Lord's Prayer petition "Give us this day our daily bread" as evidence that we ask for help in earthly life. He warns that earthly life and God's help in it should not take first place, because the promise "whatever you ask in My name" must be read in the context of the Sermon on the Mount: "Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
If a person asks for God's things, spiritual goods such as salvation, wisdom, understanding, and God's will, that prayer will certainly be heard and joy will be complete. Once that primary prayer is heard, it is normal to also ask for earthly help; those in need of a home can ask for a home, and those seeking work can ask the Lord to help them find a good job.
Requests for material things should be for what is truly needed to get on one's feet and continue moving toward God, not to increase wealth like the rich man who hoarded his harvest and said, "My soul, rejoice for many days, eat, drink, and be merry." Father Alexey concludes with the line "There is a season turn turn turn and a time to every purpose under heaven."
Key moments
- The questioner asks whether it is permissible to ask God for material goods, noting that some priests say it is fine but wondering why we should ask if God already knows our needs.
- The host refers to a program titled "Why doesn't God hear our prayers?" that discusses the Gospel words "Ask and you will receive" and "Whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you."
- Father Alexey affirms that we can ask God for material help, pointing to the Lord's Prayer petition "Give us this day our daily bread" as evidence that we ask for help in earthly life.
- He warns that earthly life and God's help in it should not take first place, because the promise "whatever you ask in My name" must be read in the context of the Sermon on the Mount: "Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
- If a person asks for God's things, spiritual goods such as salvation, wisdom, understanding, and God's will, that prayer will certainly be heard and joy will be complete.
- Once that primary prayer is heard, it is normal to also ask for earthly help; those in need of a home can ask for a home, and those seeking work can ask the Lord to help them find a good job.
- Requests for material things should be for what is truly needed to get on one's feet and continue moving toward God, not to increase wealth like the rich man who hoarded his harvest and said, "My soul, rejoice for many days, eat, drink, and be merry."
- Father Alexey concludes with the line "There is a season turn turn turn and a time to every purpose under heaven."