I am sure that you know someone who would swear by a particular novena, that a petition was granted because of the very powerful intercession of a saint or a blessed person. This is well and good and if it has strengthened the faith of that individual, then the purpose of the prayer has been served.
However, it is rather strange to see how prayer and superstition can easily mix. In the Philippines where I live, novenas are not merely prayed on their own - many are said with specific rituals, usually after the series was completed or the request granted. Please remember that the novena is still subject to God's will and that prayers, no matter how fervently said, may be answered in due time - not always within the time period we ask for. God does answer prayers but the answer is not always yes.
As disappointing as that may be, I believe it is a blessing still. I have said many prayers that have not been answered but I have also asked for things that have been graciously given to me. Recently, I prayed for help to resolve a specific issue and the prayer was indeed granted - just not the way I expected.
What I expected was a magic spell of sorts, something that will solve my problem in the wink of an eye. That was not what I was given. My prayer had been granted but it wasn't to such a degree that I did not need to do my part anymore. I still have to, but what I asked for was given to me when I needed it most.
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