PRAYER

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My Child,

As you got up this morning, I watched you, and hoped you would talk to me,even if it was just a few words, asking my opinion or thanking me for something good that happened in your life yesterday. But I noticed you were too busy, trying to find the right outfit to wear.When you ran around the house getting ready, I knew there would be a few minutes for you to stop and say hello, but you were too busy.

At one point you had to wait, fifteen minutes with nothing to do except sit in a chair. Then I saw you spring to your feet. I thought you wantd to talk to me but you ran to the phone and called a friend to get the latest gossip instead. I watched patiently all day long. With all your activities I guess you were too busy to say anything to me.

I noticed that before lunch you looked around, maybe you felt embarrassed to talk to me, that is why you didn't bow your head. You glanced three or four tables over and you noticed some of your friends talking to me briefly before they ate, but you didn't.

That's okay. There is still more time left, and I hope that you will talk to me yet. You went home and it seems as if you had lots of things to do. After a few of them were done, you turned on the TV. I don't know if you like TV or not, just about anything goes there and you spend a lot of time each day in front of it not thinking about anything, just enjoying the show.

I waited patiently again as you watched the TV and ate your meal, but again you didn't talk to me. Bedtime I guess you felt too tired. After you said goodnight to your family you plopped into bed and fell asleep in no time.

That's okay because you may not realize that I am always there for you. I've got patience, more than you will ever know. I even want to teach you how to be patient with others as well. I love you so much that I wait everyday for a nod , prayer or thought or a thankful part of your heart.

It is hard to have a one-sided conversation. Well, you are getting up once again. And once again I will wait, with nothing but love for you. Hoping that today you will give me some time.

Have a nice day!

Your loving Heavenly Father, GOD

This came to my email from a friend, so I thought someone here might appreciate it.

If we all prayed before we post here, and ask God to help us answer, maybe there would be less conflict and Truth would be shared in a loving way.

Love & Blessings, SSM

-- SSM (heartwjesus@yahoo.com), December 01, 2000

Answers

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-- - - (heartwjesus@yahoo.com), December 01, 2000.

redirecting to the top

-- Slave Nolonger (free@long.last), December 02, 2000.

I will be copying and emailing this one out. Thank you, SSM!

-- jackiea (jackiea@hotmail.com), December 04, 2000.

Dear Susan,

I think I recall back some months relating to this board an incident in my early life that relates indirectly to this. It isn't as poignant, but it's instructive nevertheless. It may also illustrate to some young folks here the norms of Catholic living in pre-Vatican II, at least here in America. It is a priceless memory to me.

At age nine or ten, not long after making my first holy communion, I entered a confessional for the sacrament of Penance, now known better as Reconciliation. I was still a rather green boy, no more sinful than we would expect, nor less so. The procedure I'd learned in school was routine, ''Bless me Father, I have sinned, ''X'' weeks since may last confession.'' The priest was familiar to me, a serious and devout person; and to this day I feel great respect for him, Father Richard Atkinson, gone to his eternal reward now for many years. God keep him!

I started to recite my sins, such as they were. ''I failed to say my evening/morning prayers, Father;'' I don't know, maybe 5 or 6 times, etc.,

He immediately questioned me: ''Why?''

And I answered embarrassed like the boy sinner, up against it, ''I just forget sometimes, Father.''

''No,'' he said to me sternly, ''I want you to tell me WHY you fail to say your prayers the way you have been taught. Why?''

I was speechless, or stammering. I didn't know just how to answer this intimidating priest. What could I say? Then a short moment after that, Father said: ''Let me tell you why. You don't believe! You don't say your prayers because you don't believe that God hears, that God lives in heaven; that's why! If you did believe, you would not forget . If you really believe, you'll always want to pray. That is what's called faith! Do you understand now?''

I had to agree. Why, it was no contest. I went on home, duly absolved, with a penance to say. Nothing extraordinary. Of course, I had been dressed down by this strict and holy priest. But, in those days the faithful accepted the strong admonitions of the Catholic clergy. Not just because they are the authority; because they represented Christ. It was their due, after all. Did I feel resentment? Certainly not. In fact, I was completely reassured afterward. It's TRUE-- to pray is to demonstrate to God your absolute faith in Him. How can we NOT always pray ? To ignore or put prayer on a ''back burner'' is to show lack of faith, ipso facto.

Since that day my affection for Father Atkinson has never waned. I thank God, that one day he sent me this wonderful father confessor, who instinctively said to me exactly what I needed to hear. Something I would remember happily for the rest of my life.

-- eugene c. chavez (chavezec@pacbell.net), December 04, 2000.


Hi Eugene,

I like your story. It made me remember a couple of times in my youth, when God answered prayers.

Jesus said to come to God like a little child.(Mark 10:15) Jesus also said that if you will pray believing you will receive what you ask for, you shall have it (Mark 11:24). Walk by faith and not by sight! If you believe, you will see the glory of GOD (John 11:40)!

God Bless you,

Susan

-- SSM (Christian) (heartwjesus@yahoo.com), December 04, 2000.



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