Prayer

So, what do you pray for?  Judging by what people put on Facebook, they pray for just about anything.  Don't get me wrong, prayer is a good thing.  But, sometimes I wonder if people really think about what they are praying for. I don't really remember what I have prayed for or when I have prayed.  But I do remember what I was praying for five years ago today.  That was the day my Mom left this Earth and reunited with her loved ones in Heaven.  My siblings and I,  along with the rest of the family, was praying for Mom and for Dad. 

 

Sometimes prayer can be a struggle.  I have a hard time being specific about what I am praying for.  My sister, Ann, is a natural at prayer.  Any time the family is together Ann is the one to pray.  She always says just the right thing and more often than not, I end up with tears in my eyes.  Of course, that is most of the time.  If you know me I cry at just about anything. 

 

Are prayers answered?  To me there is no question: Yes they are.  God may not always answer your prayer the way you want it answered, but he does answer it.  Sometimes it may be days or months before they are answered.  You may not always realize it was answered.  Five years ago, our prayer was for Mom not to suffer and to go home soon.  That prayer was answered quickly.  Three short months later we had the same prayer for Dad.  They were both at peace with God and He knew it.  Our prayers ARE answered.

 

Today at church the scripture in the bulletin was Matthew 5 verse 4, "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted."  Just seeing those words were a comfort.  I was thinking about Mom this morning when I woke up.  Hard to believe it has been five years already.  Last weekend Susan and I attended my Uncle Kenny and Aunt Frannie's Fifty wedding anniversary party.  Seeing all of Mom's sisters together is really something.  All of them, in one way or another, remind me of Mom.  Some of them look like her.  Some sound like her.  It is really comforting to know she is not forgotten.

 

So, what do you pray for?  Tonight I pray for my girls, give them both strength to do things they don't want to do and for the things they do want to do.  I pray for wisdom for both of them, that they may make good decisions.  I pray for health for all my family and friends. (And my enemies.)  I pray for our nation's leaders to make wise decisions.  And, I pray for you, my friends on facebook.  Have a good and productive week.