There are so many people I’ve been grateful to have in my life this past year. Being part of a church family, even when we’ve been physically separated for much of the year, is one of the many things for which I’m thankful for and appreciate more and more as time goes on.
Upon learning that I would be writing the reflection for this week’s e-news, I planned to write about the ‘power of prayer’. When I wrote the previous articles, the words just flowed…but not this time! I then realized that I have probably always felt inadequate when it comes to personal prayers. I even remember a guest priest preaching on this very subject! How many of us compare ourselves to others who are on their knees praying from their heart when we are in the sanctuary?
I have recently called upon Sheila Macpherson and her prayer group, as well as our church staff, to pray for a relative who was suffering from severe Covid depression. I also requested extra prayers for a good outcome for fetal surgery on my great niece-to-be. This surgery was on the same day as a young woman, the daughter of a long time St. John’s Church family, who was undergoing brain surgery. These requests were received and acknowledged with the grace of God.
As for me, on that day I clutched my cross, (that we made with the help of Denise Munz in one of our Sophia Sisters meetings), all day as I went about various tasks and prayed for both of these families. When I asked our church member if we could do anything other than offer prayers, she said, “No. Prayers give us hope.”
I can do that. I live for hope. Hope comes from my heart.
