We Should Ask God, “Why?”

 
Human beings are gifted with both a capacity and a desire to know and understand the meaning of life. A person of mature faith will seek to understand their experiences from God’s perspective. As such it is both important and necessary to ask God “Why?”

However, we should be clear and careful in how we pose that question of faithful prayer. Some people ask God “Why?” in a blaming, accusatory or self-pitying way. This is not a mature form of prayer and can reveal a self-centered or self-preserving tendency.

People of mature faith ask God “Why?” in a sincere desire to understand and respond to God’s will as it is taking place in specific circumstances. They do so in order to eagerly and generously participate in God’s work in the world. Such a prayer moves a person beyond self-pity and into active grace-filled growth and mercy for self and others.