Praying Through Several Encounters

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Friday, July 1, 2016

Praying Through Several Encounters

Today was a different kind of a day. A day of encounters, a day of prayers. A day out of the ordinary. Or—was it?

First, I arranged a test for a friend. Assisting him was a bit roundabout. I helped cut through some of the red tape, and got things taken care of. To finally take care of that situation was gratifying, to be sure.

Next up, helping another acquaintance with some paperwork. This was certainly easier. Tracking down some older files, and that was another item off my list of things to do.

Third, and perhaps most significant, I needed to drop off a file. Simple, indeed. However, I also took the opportunity to pray with someone at that house. (That was the significant part.) I talked with the family, prayed, and prayed some more.

In each situation today, I prayed. Three varied situations, and three very different people. However, I felt the need to take them all before God. All were heavy, and I needed God to help me to bear them. I could especially feel God’s presence on the last visit. (Not that God wasn’t in the first two. Of course God was! Don’t be silly—I keep telling myself.)

Today was indeed a day of encounters. A day I encountered three people, in separate situations. However, today was a day that I encountered God. God was with me on my errands and trips around the area today. God heard the words I said out loud, as well as those words I thought to myself, and those cries I couldn’t even put into words. Yes, God still heard me. And, God heard the friends I was with today

Thank You, God, for encouraging us to come to You in prayer. Thank You for the encouragement and support. I appreciate it. I depend on it, sometimes. Thank You. Thank You.

@chaplaineliza

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What God Thinks is Important!

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Tuesday, May 19, 2015

What God Thinks is Important!

How on earth does someone sift through the many, multifaceted activities of their day?

A great deal of things happen to me every day. Little things, big things, trivial stuff, important stuff: all kinds of events and happenings, each day. Sometimes, I can’t even begin to remember all of the stuff that went on in one particular day. And a few times—more recently—next to nothing happened to me. At all. But, that isn’t as often.

How do I sort through my day, at the end of the day, when it’s so chock full of stuff? How can I sift through the happenings and find those things that almost highlight themselves? I know very well how important a regular inventory is, by this time. I’ve done it for years, on a regular basis.

For anyone who is unfamiliar with the practice (found in Ignatian spirituality and prayer), this is one step in the Daily Examen. A practice we’ve been looking at for the past few days on this blog. The short, simple steps I am detailing, one at a time, are a straight-forward presentation of how to practice St. Ignatius’ daily examination of oneself. I consider this step to be especially helpful. For me, right now.

“4. Choose one feature of the day and pray from it. Ask the Holy Spirit to direct you to something during the day that God thinks is particularly important. It may involve a feeling—positive or negative. It may be a significant encounter with another person or a vivid moment of pleasure or peace. Or it may be something that seems rather insignificant. Look at it. Pray about it. Allow the prayer to arise spontaneously from your heart—whether intercession, praise, repentance, or gratitude.” [1]

I thank God for the ability to take stock, to go the extra step and look over my daily activities. And—a significant thing about this activity is that God shows up! God directs me as I look at my day. Sometimes, I become even more aware of God’s presence with me, moment by moment.

Thanks, God. I needed that.

@chaplaineliza

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

[1] http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/the-examen/how-can-i-pray

I Live in an Earthly Tent. Boy, am I Aware of That!

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Wednesday, April 15, 2015

I Live in an Earthly Tent. Boy, am I Aware of That!

The analogy of an earthly tent, from 2 Corinthians 5? I have come to relate to it, so much!

I’ve felt an affinity for this analogy for as long as I could remember. Looking forward to having the earthly tent destroyed, since I have a heavenly home waiting for me? Some health crises in my family and in my personal life have impacted me, over the years.

These words of scripture hit home, in a significant way.

Yes, the verses from the beginning of the chapter of 2 Corinthians 5 were on the docket today, in the liturgical lectionary scripture reading.

The frailty of this human body came home to me today, as I had (and still have) a bout of the flu. Talk about being laid low! Yesterday, I was running, doing, traveling around the Chicago area. All cylinders were firing, and I felt on top of the world. Today, starting in mid-morning and just getting worse and worse as the day continued, I ended up feeling bloody awful. Talk about being flattened by a random virus.

After intermittently sleeping and tossing and turning for some eight hours, I woke up. Feeling a bit more steady and stable, I gingerly got up. And now, here I am. Documenting this awful situation. I know, it isn’t one tenth as bad as some people’s continuing situations. But, it certainly felt that way for me, for a while.

I do need to thank some faithful friends who were, and are still, praying for me. Flat on my back, mid-afternoon, I was able to call a senior friend whose number was handy—in my cell phone. (I certainly was not going to be able to get up and find a number!) She in turn called several others, and I feel so much better now. Still only tentative and wobbly, but at least I can sit up! And string sentences together in a halfway cogent manner.

Let’s pray, and come to God. Dear Lord, gracious God, I thank You so much for my health. Currently, generally good, and I am trying to keep it that way. Dear God, thank You for many people’s prayers on my behalf. I appreciate each prayer, and each pray-er! Lord, I earnestly send back prayers and gentle thoughts to each one praying for me. That’s the power of prayer, and mutuality, and positive connection. Lord, help me to continue to model this, as well as to continue to have a close relationship with You. Lord, in Your mercy, hear all of our prayers.

@chaplaineliza

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Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.   @chaplaineliza And read #40acts sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er .

Praying through Action—an Act of Consolation

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Saturday, February 14, 2015

Praying through Action—an Act of Consolation

What a prayer suggestion for Valentine’s Day! Lo and behold, another surprise. My prayer suggestion for the day was to write a note of consolation and support for someone who has lost a dear one in death or is presently suffering some tragedy in their life, and let them know that God loves them. My goodness . . . not exactly a cheery thing to do on Valentine’s Day.

A dear person immediately came to my mind. I had purchased several cheery Valentine’s Day cards yesterday for several lonely people. Accordingly (I peeked at today’s suggestion a day ahead of time), I also chose a card for this dear one. A number of months have passed since my friend lost a close relative to serious illness. I had been thinking about this dear one several times in the past week or so, and I knew without a doubt that this was why I had been mentally nudged. Because I needed to write this card.

I’ve served as a chaplain for most of the last ten years. I know that significant holidays sometimes are poignant reminders of recent deaths. Even, not-so-recent deaths. Valentine’s Day might not seem so significant at first . . . but if you think about it, you might change your mind.

Consider an elderly parent who—without fail—sends their adult children a sweet Valentine’s Day remembrance each year. Until they are gone. Or, think of a significant other or spouse who remembers their loved one with a romantic Valentine card each February 14^th. Until they can’t any longer. Or, what about a growing child, become a young adult, sending their parents a loving Valentine’s Day card wherever they are, in whatever part of the country they happen to be. Until they have an untimely death.

So, I wrote a cheery, thoughtful note on this pretty Valentine’s Day card I bought yesterday. And, I closed with the reminder that God is caring for this dear one and keeping them safe within God’s loving, everlasting embrace.

Dear Lord, please be with all who mourn today, and all those who are missing someone near and dear to their hearts. Extend Your arms of comfort, care and encouragement to all of these dear people, today. Including several of my friends, Lord. In Your mercy, hear all of our prayers. Amen.

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