can't add value to request parameter map

[mfaine]

I am trying to do the following in my actionListener method.

FacesContext context = FacesContext.getCurrentInstance();
context.getExternalContext().getRequestMap().put("selectedDocument", document);

later I try to retrieve with:


Document doc = ( Document ) FacesContext.getCurrentInstance ().
                   getExternalContext ().getRequestParameterMap ().get (
        "selectedDocument" );

but it is null?

How can I ensure that a value is passed via request?

Thanks,
-Mark