Prayer Life.

 Prayer Life.

 

Over the years, many books have come and gone in this house, and among them were some of the “daily prayer” types. In fact, right now, next to the throne in the big bathroom, a book sits there entitled God is With You Every Day by Max Lucado. It was a gift from my friend Michelle. It can be read and re-read as many times as one cares to do so. Then there are large print magazines sent to me by my sister-by-another-mother, Sharon Dickerson. The Upper Room has articles that are almost as inspiring as any of the psalms simply because they are familiar situations in our world today. But maybe the most inspiring place that ever touched my prayer life has been the home in which we grew up. Every meal, every occasion of stress or joy was met with a prayer. When Sterling left for Germany in the Army or when he was sent to Vietnam were times when my parents spent time praying that became obvious. But he came home.

 

Mom and Dad were given a brand-new Chevrolet when my Kennedy grandparents came back to Texas and lived in the same town as Mom and Dad. Eventually, the car became known as “Old Hope So.” The parents would go somewhere and just hope that they would get back home. Yes, a few times we ended up pulling their car back to their house. But most of the time, Mom prayed that car to wherever they were going. More than once, Lewis explained to Dad that if one hose burst, ALL the hoses should be replaced. He didn’t listen very well, so he ended up having the engine overhauled. No prayer will keep an engine from burning up without water in the radiator.

 

Talking to my friend Carol Thonton, she told me that she has a tendency to begin with a celebration of prayer in the morning when she wakes up. It does seem true that we can actually feel more joyous when we wake up to a new morning, but she said that she doesn’t have a set routine for her prayers because she just carries on a conversation with God as she goes through her day. That feels pretty close to what happens around here. Shortly after the knee replacement surgery, it felt like a great time to say thank you every time that leg worked and didn’t feel as if it were going to crater. It probably did not bother God to hear those “Thank you for letting me be able to walk” prayers those mornings. Anyway, more than once in my life, the answer to a prayer has been quite obvious.

 

Lately, it has been obvious to me, at least, that prayers have been answered. Danny Pollard and his daughter Kristen have gone through the kidney replacement surgery, and Danny seems to be doing well so far. God has blessed him and Kristen both. Then it seems that prayers for those in the church just sit there on the prayer list. Yes, we are mostly older folks and some have some pretty drastic health problems. However, while we may not have the strength to do many of the things we would like to do, we all have time to pray for those just like us who need that extra encouragement. Dealing with falls, diabetes, heart attacks and such takes a fair amount of patience to go with the prayers. But knowing that others care about us can make a big difference in our attitudes.

 

We can also pray for rain. Our country is dry beyond belief in some areas, and that is why we are having fires all over the western area of our nation. If the rains would come without producing floods, the fire fighters would not have to struggle so much to put out the fires. And we know that homes, farms, livestock and pets have all been affected by these fires. Let us pray for all those affected.

 

Then we have the situations all over the world that have affected more than just the U.S. Our navy is in the Middle East. Some of those sailors—men and women—have not been at home or off the ships in months! Let us pray for them and their feelings of stress and homesickness. Then, too, let them accomplish whatever truly needs to be done to be able to come home safely. We know logically that no terrorist can be dealt with in a reasonable manner. Let the military and our president and those supporting him be wise in all their decisions. Let them look to God for help and for answers. May our leaders also remove the fraud and corruption in Congress and in all the places that our money supports. We would not even have a national debt if there were no corruption. May God bless our nation that common sense will become more common.

 

May those affected by storms, earthquakes, and other disasters be relieved of the horrors of loss of life and the disruption of life’s expectations. Help us to be aware and to care for others and their circumstances. May we care deeply for our mates, children, and neighbors as we would have them care for us. And may we give others the respect and appreciation that they deserve. No man or woman should disrespect his or her mate. Only loving thoughts should be brought out in public about our mates—and the same with our children lest they feel as if they do not matter to those who should love them the most. May we have the personality to give love in all circumstances.

 

Yes, maybe the blog tonight feels like a prayer. But so much of our life depends on both our attitude and the blessings of God upon us, our family, our nation, our world. We have so much for which we can be thankful. A prayer can be praise and a request for forgiveness any time we think about where our prayers are directed. May God hear our voices.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.