God does answer prayers

God does answer prayers

October 26, 2013

By: Gina Yoryet Roman

Today I spent a little time reading Los Mártires Cristeros - Saints of the Cristero War, a group of 25 saints and martyrs from the Mexican Cristero War. The majority of them were Roman Catholic priests who were executed for carrying out their ministry despite the suppression under the anti-clerical laws of Priista Plutarco Elías Calles. 

• Cristóbal Magallanes Jara (1869-1927)
• Román Adame Rosales (1859-1928)
• Rodrigo Aguilar Aleman (1875-1927)
• Julio Álvarez Mendoza (1866-1927)
• Luis Batis Sáinz (1870-1926)
• Agustín Caloca Cortés (1898-1927)
• Mateo Correa Magallanes (1866-1927)
• Atilano Cruz Alvarado (1901-1928)
• Miguel De La Mora (1874-1927)
• Pedro Esqueda Ramirez (1897-1927)
• Margarito Flores Garcia (1899-1927)
• José Isabel Flores Varela (1866-1927)
• David Galván Bermudes (1882-1915)
• Salvador Lara Puente (1905-1926)
• Pedro de Jesús Maldonado (1892–1937)
• Jesús Méndez Montoya (1880-1928)
• Manuel Morales (1898-1926)
• Justino Orona Madrigal (1877-1928)
• Sabas Reyes Salazar (1879-1927)
• José María Robles Hurtado (1888-1927)
• David Roldán Lara (1907-1926)
• Toribio Romo González (1900-1928)
• Jenaro Sánchez Delgadillo (1886-1927)
• Tranquilino Ubiarco Robles (1889-1928)
• David Uribe Velasco (1888-1927)
• José Sánchez del Río (1913-1928), This is the most touching death mirrored in the film For Greater Glory. 

All these martyrs were robbed from their existence because they refused to give up their faith. Their conviction was so strong that deep down, they knew that God always prevails even though they would not live to witness it. Validation of that was Plutarco Elías Calles himself who according to historical reports, he ironically became interested in spirituality. Prior to his death in October 1945, he allegedly stated the following that he “most certainly believed” in a higher power. 

I have known some individuals who deny themselves to believe in this divine power during their early years and later as adults when everything in life “seems” just fine. When they reach a certain stage, they turn to spirituality as they cannot handle life’s ups and downs. Just like Plutarco Elías Calles, they feel remorse for their wrongdoings and they seek for inner peace. I ponder on how remorseful Elías Calles felt for taking all those lives only because they fought for a good cause. 

All those martyrs stayed faithful to this verse, “Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! Matthew 7:7-11.

They sacrificed their life but in the end, his prayers were answered. Just like those martyrs, we have to keep in mind that prayers are answered at God´s time, not at ours. It reminds me of a special request I’ve been petitioning for every since I was a little girl. Even at times when I’ve drawn apart from the church, I’ve never given up on praying, questioning and wondering why that particular request hasn’t been answered, perhaps those are not his plans for me, maybe it has been manifested to me in many ways but I am oblivious to see it. 

My doubts were assuaged a little while ago after talking to my sister, she reaffirmed that when we talk to God with an open heart, our prayers are acknowledged so I shall keep asking for that aspiration and if it is his will, I shall be given it at his particular time, not at mine. I must keep my faith alive and pray for patience...

God bless!