Daily, Mindful Prayer.

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Friday, January 20, 2017

Daily, Mindful Prayer.

Sometimes, life happens. In my life, other people’s lives. Mindfulness helps when life happens. Daily, mindful prayer.

I went through life, as usual. Yeah, I encountered some rough spots, as well as some great times. Sometimes stuff happens to me, and sometimes stuff happens to my family. Like, when an elderly loved one of mine had a serious illness in November, and the doctors finally told the family that he needed to enter hospice at the beginning of December. Then, two weeks later, he died. So, the extended family had to deal with something quite serious—a death in the family. On top of which, things were complicated by the holidays.

Sometimes stuff just happens. All during the fall, during my loved one’s illness, I was reminded that I could pray and meditate anywhere.

Prayer and meditation are not determined by anyone’s position. Sitting, standing, walking—however you would like to practice, it works. What’s more, prayer, meditation and mindfulness are is not exclusive, or only for one particular group of people. Each one of us has the opportunity to reach for the stars.

Each day, each night, mindful meditation and prayer are good options. I need to remember that. Gracious God, help me. Dear Lord, thank You for the opportunity to come before You, at any time, any place.

@chaplaineliza

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Why not visit my companion blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.  #PursuePEACE. My Facebook page, Pursuing Peace – Thanks! And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er

Prayer Can Be an Encouragement

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Prayer Can Be an Encouragement

A friend of mine asked me for prayer for an ongoing issue. A serious issue. Of course, I said.

What about when things are serious for you? Difficult? Complex? Intellectually, I know God ought to protect and support. Encourage. However, sometimes things are continuing. Ongoing.

What then? Is God still our refuge and strength? Our present help in times of trouble? Will God watch over our goings and comings?

I feel for people who are in continuing difficulties, or griefs. Anxiety and fear are so prevalent in so many situations. .

Our help does indeed come from the Lord. But, why is the situation (or, situations) still ongoing? I cannot tell for sure. I don’t know. I need to trust God, and trust that my friend will be protected, supported, encouraged, and loved.

God willing. Lord, in Your mercy, hear all of our prayers

@chaplaineliza

Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.

Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.   @chaplaineliza  And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er

PEACE is Hugs and Happiness

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Sunday, April17, 2016

PEACE is Hugs and Happiness

Today, I return again to St. Viator’s High School in Arlington Heights, for their third lunch period. Principal Fr. Corey Brost gave me the opportunity to hang out in the lunch room and talk briefly with anyone who came up to the table I had set up on one side of the large room.

I’ll be featuring two personal definitions of PEACE per day. This was a wonderful chance to talk with young people and get their viewpoints on PEACE.

The first definition of the day comes from a staff member at the high school. I thought her definition was so sweet, and so special!

Ann Perez’s personal definition: “PEACE is a hug from my 4 year old daughter.”

Of course, I asked Ann for more information! She responded, “Her name is Sarah. She’s four, so she does silly things sometimes.” We talked about preschoolers for a few moments, and then she added, “I love hugs from anyone!”

Roxanne’s personal definition: “PEACE is when everyone is HAPPY J “

As I spoke further with Roxanne, she got into some more serious matters. When I asked her for more information, she said, “I think on no drama, no crying, no unhappiness. That is my personal meaning.”

On the surface, Roxanne’s definition seems sunny and happy. However, dig just a little deeper, and she hits something serious, that resonates with most people.

Both are superb definitions, although different from each other.

Dear God, send us many hugs today. Offer each one Your peace, amid life’s uncertainty. In Your mercy, hear all of our prayers today.
@chaplaineliza

Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.

Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.   @chaplaineliza  And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er

 

Heal, O Lord! We Pray.

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – January 28, 2015

Heal, O Lord! We Pray.

O, to be healed!

I was a chaplain for most of the past ten years. Regularly, I saw patients and their loved ones in serious, traumatic, even end of life situations. People asked, no, begged me to intercede on their behalf. Or, on their loved one’s behalf. And, I would.

I know the extreme sadness and grief of a patient and family as life ebbs away. I recognize the agony and despair over a difficult diagnosis of a serious illness. Yet, I would pray when asked. Even, when patients and loved ones had no words and I left them, exited the room in respectful silence. I prayed then, too.

Right now, I have a good friend whose dear loved one is in hospice. It’s been a several-year fight, a serious series of pitched battles. The dear loved one is sinking, slipping gently and gradually away. And I pray.

“Why?” “Why me?” “Why my loved one?” When asked this, I often must say, “I am sorry. I don’t know.” Truly, I don’t know why this person, and not that one.

I know some things about prayer, though. I know prayer is communication with God. I know God wants us to be in relationship—with God, as well as with one another. I know prayer is love. I know prayer shows my concern for others as well as a request for encouragement and support from God. I know God will encourage and support me, too, if I ask.

So, these are things I know. Rather, I strive to remind myself of them sometimes, at those times when I have doubts, or fears, or am angry with God.

This thing I also know: as soon as each person is born into the world, we all know how they are going to get out of it. Each one is going to die. (I am sure of this. If you think hard about it, you are, too.) We don’t know when, we aren’t sure how long each one has. Just—each of us has an allotted span of days. As Psalm 90 tells us, “teach us to number our days.” Count each day as precious. Live one day at a time.

And I pray.

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Why not visit my sister blog, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.

(also published at www.matterofprayer.net