Fear Knocks. Prayer Answers.

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Saturday, January 9, 2016

Fear Knocks. Prayer Answers.

Fear and anxiety can be paralyzing. What’s more, fear and anxiety can creep up on me in the most unexpected ways, at the worst possible times.

It’s not that I was an awfully fearful and anxious child. Just sometimes. (Me as a sad and lonely child is closer to the mark. But, I’m not talking about that, today. Maybe on another day, in another post.)

What has helped me is prayer. And, getting among friendly, kind, like-minded people. Seriously, I am helped by prayer, reading the Bible and other helpful literature, getting together in groups with other friends—all of these assist me to shed fear and anxiety.

Dear Lord, gracious God, You have given me power, love and a sound mind. Plus, You lessen my fear and anxiety. You are the Source of my strength and an ever present help in times of trouble or dismay. Thank You for all of that, too. I know—so well—that fear is a big bruiser of an emotion, but thanks to You and Your everlasting arms of comfort and support, You can overcome any awful, crippling effects of fear, anxiety, trauma, grief, and discouragement.

I pray that You will guard around us. Protect us with Your heavenly messengers, and encourage us to follow You all the days of our lives. 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 my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er

Day #4 – Surprise! A Day to Be Generous! Prayerfully.

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Saturday, February 21, 2015

Day #4 – Surprise! A Day to Be Generous! Prayerfully.

When I checked my email this morning before I left the house, I saw this generosity suggestion from #40acts. Hmm. I remember commenting to God—not specifically praying, mind you—“Gee, I wonder who I might be generous to, today?”

This suggestion is similar to times I blogged about in my daily blog last year, A Year of Being Kind (at wordpress.com). Many of the situations I saw as I looked over the kids’ 40acts calendar for Lent 2015 were similar, actually. I look upon that as a wonderful thing! Yes, I’ve done today’s particular generous, kind deed several times last year. Except, I sort-of, kind-of made it all up as I went along, last year.

This year, it is decidedly different. Being involved with 40acts and doing Lent generously this year gives me a sense of the unexpected. Not knowing what sort of generous, kind suggestion will come my way the next day. As in, today.

I went to my regularly scheduled yoga class at the YMCA this morning. (My teacher is marvelous! The attendance at her classes testify to that fact, too.) I grabbed two mandarin oranges from the bowl on the kitchen table as I went out the door. I ate one after yoga, while I changed in the locker room. The other? I gave away.

These were not just any old pieces of fruit. No, they were special, super-sweet mandarin oranges! Fantastic in flavor and texture. Absolutely perfect, in my opinion. And the woman I gave the orange to? A lovely employee at the Y. A member of the janitorial staff. Always cheerful, pleasant, with a friendly smile on her face. Which brightened and got even wider when I handed her the orange. She thanked me for the orange. I returned her bright smile. She and I exchanged a quick hug in the hallway, and that was that.

Except for the grace. The surprise. A spontaneous, kind, generous act. I’m so glad I thought of it as I left the locker room and happened to meet this lovely lady. I hope she felt special today, through something as small as an unexpected gift of a fantastic orange. God bless her, today and every day!

(Check out #40acts; doing Lent generously at www.40acts.org.uk )

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

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