The apostle Paul also urges us to seek after the greater gifts, particularly love (1Cor. 14:1). Likewise, the blessed Isaac teaches that "The Creator of eternity does not wish that something perishable, something cheap, something time bound, is sought from him. It would be a terrible wrong to His generosity and lavishness to ignore requests for what eternally endures, in favor of petitions for what is transitory and perishable."(2)
Does this mean that we are not to ask God for things or needs that are transitory or perishable? Doesn't that contradict Jesus' teaching that we are to ask God for all our needs, including our most basic, our daily bread? Jesus and Paul and the blessed Isaac all seem to be instructing us not to limit ourselves to mundane requests. They are teaching us, as we grow and mature in faith, to have the courage to ask for the greater gifts: gifts of wisdom, discernment, compassion, understanding, patience, knowledge, fortitude, peace, generosity, piety, faith, hope and love.
We are encouraged to pray for the spiritual gifts that will endure and build up the body of Christ. When we seek these greater gifts, God is not only pleased, God is delighted. God is so delighted that God gives us these greater gifts and those things we need--in abundance--just as God did to Solomon. Jesus tell us "If you, with all your sins, know how to give your children what is good, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to anyone who asks him" (Mt. 7: 11). And the greatest of these gifts is the Holy Spirit (Lk. 11:13).
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(2) Ibid.
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