There is an old joke in church circles told about a woman driving around the mall looking for a parking space. She drives up and down the aisles fruitlessly. Getting frustrated, she prays, "God send me a parking space and I'll donate $100 to the church collection basket.”  Just then her eyes fall on an empty spot right near the store she wants to enter. "Never mind,” she prays, "I got it. “

God offers us relationship and we settle for close-in parking.

Jesus certainly understood human nature. He says to the crowd who has followed him "You are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. “

God is love and love seeks unity. How else can we explain Jesus’s burning desire to have our life and him… and his life in us… in the gift that is Eucharist. “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst. “

Oh, I think it's okay to pray for a promotion at work, a passing grade, a cure for ourselves or a friend… maybe even a parking space. God understands. 

The most important thing is that whatever happens in our life… whatever joys, whatever struggles,… we do not experience them alone. We are held in the arms of our Intimate Friend who loves us with a love beyond all telling.