Loved Ones

Sitting in church today someone said "loved ones." I think we all say it without recognizing what we are saying. Or, maybe I'm just late to this ah-ha moment.

Here's a typical sentence:

"We were praying for our loved ones that were in Hurricane Sandy."

I had always thought of these "loved ones" as a group, but it very clearly states in the dictionary that this is "a person who you love, usually a member of your family."

We are all individuals and feel loved one-on-one.

I'm going to think on that the next time I revert to praying for large groups at a time. It's individual people with individual feelings, needs, heartaches, and talents that need individual attention and prayer.

Prayer of Saint Francis

Ok, I posted this elsewhere, but wanted to link to it. Perfect poem/song/prayer for difficult moments.

http://bloggerpickles.blogspot.com/2011/06/prayer-of-saint-francis.html

Prayers - out loud

My father sent us an email with lots of little status updates, tips and thoughts. He included this little paragraph about prayers. Thought it was good to share here - at least for my access and remembrance:

"For some time I wondered what the effect would be if we did more praying out loud in personal prayers. Now I'm not talking about the routine daily prayers; I mean those heart-felt pleadings we express when we truly want to repent; when we are sincere about conquering serious problems; when we are challenged by something that seems insurmountable or unsavory. I mean those prayers more accurately described as conversations with God where we really pour out our souls and want to be heard. Often uttered in the bathroom, the bedroom, the closet, in the car or some other private place, they seem different than what is typically thougth of at the mention of the word -- prayer. These are serious chats with diety where we are deeply engaged and yearning for help. Perhaps strictly following the scriptural injunction to do so in our closet would bring extra results, especially when uttered aloud. [Matt 6:6; III Nephi 13:6; Alma 33:7 & 34:26] Something happens to the creature (you, me) when we attempt this live conversation in a private place in an audible voice. At least that is what I have been wondering about. Try it and see what you think."


"Try it and see what you think" is a good last line.
 
I think I will.

I will pray for YOU

Someone said this to me the other day most sincerely. People always say this - at least close friends and people at my church. Public officials even say it on TV. News anchors and dramatic movies reference it. I've said it once in a while myself.

Do we really mean it? Yes, I think so.

My question is this - how many people actually make it a matter of prayer after they make the promise?

My sister and I discussed this for a small moment at Thanksgiving. Both of us realized that we needed to do a better job of actually praying for the people that we intended to pray for on a regular basis.
However bad this sounds, I think I'm going to add people to a special part of my "to do" list so that I reference their names regularly and remember to take time to think of them on a regular basis.

The amazing thing is that when I do pray for others, I think of more ways to help them AND of more people to pray for and feel an immense sense of love toward them.

So, next time I say "I'll pray for you," know that I really do mean it AND really do mean to act on it.

...just don't look over my shoulder at my to do list. (-:

Notebook Prayers

I love having beautiful notebooks! I'm a firm believer in having one notebook that you carry around (regardless of how digital you are in life) to write thoughts, notes, to dos, and ....to rip out a page or two here and there for other people.

Here's one of my latest beautiful notebooks that I purchased at either Border or Barnes & Noble. They have to be interesting, beautiful, classy or whatever because you have to WANT to carry the notebook with you at all times.

However, this post started on a big ole tangent because of the picture.

 

The reality is that this post is about prayer. And, how my notebook is essential to some of my prayers.

Back in the day....long time ago in a far away land, but not so far away, I was a missionary. The people felt foreign, but the land was Oregon. And, most of the people spoke English.

I don't know when it happened, but at one point I started to kneel down to pray with a notebook (or a blue planner). These were the prayers that were all about being led to know what to do, who to visit, how to help, etc. At first it was awkward praying and writing, because I typically keep my eyes closed during these types of discussions with my Heavenly Father. But, then it became easier and before I knew it there would be a page full of things to do, little inspirations to seek people I'd forgotten or a simple idea.

It really wasn't about the notebook, but more about the willingness to immediately write down promptings and being willing to follow them. And, then more would come.

Back to 2010 - years later - I suddenly remembered the notebook prayers and decided I needed to start doing them again. I tried it last week and came away with a page full of people to contact, simple ideas and little inspirations. I acted on as many as I could the next day. It felt good. It gave me hope to keep doing it knowing that somewhere in this process I will gain insights previously un-obtained and hopefully help a heart in need.

It is time for the day to end and it is time to pull out the notebook. Yes, the cover is "pretty," but the words on the inside and the upcoming actions will be what makes it beautiful.

Memory Lane - Were you praying for me?

A long time ago (1992-1994) in a land far away (Oregon Rancher Country, USA), I was a missionary for my church. Though Portland was beautiful, I loved being out in the great open spaces of eastern Oregon.

My companion and I were in charge of 15-20 small towns. We actually lived in the largest of the small towns (John Day - approximately 2,000 people) and would travel all around eastern Oregon since our area was about 2.5 hours wide by 2.5 hours tall (I'm referring to a map in my head).

Anyway, we would teach a small family up in a mountain town called Seneca, Oregon. I think it was about 30 miles from John Day and we would drive through mountains, pine forests and windy roads before we would hit the high plateau of this town of 200 people. The surrounding were attractive, but the town itself seemed destitute. I still don't remember why the town even existed.

However, we taught lessons to this family and their life seemed to transform before our eyes as they felt the Spirit of the truths being taught. The mother was especially anxious for her husband and 10 year old child to learn more and accept the teachings.

One night we were home and praying for this family and were interrupted by a phone call. It was the mother.

"Are you praying for our family right now?" she asked.

"Um, yes, we were just praying for your family" I replied wondering where this was going.

"Well, I just called to tell you that I felt you praying for our family right now." She thanked us and we were left in slight amazement at the situation.

That happened a few more times, but the first time was the most powerful.


The other day I was praying for someone and asked them if they felt my prayers. They said no. I told them that that was too bad. I would keep it up and maybe one of those times they would feel my prayers.

Either way, it made me think - there are people out there praying for each of us. A parent, a brother, a sister, a friend, or maybe even a co-worker or someone just passing by that recognizes we have a need.

Just knowing that somehow makes me have more faith to move forward.

After all, God wants the best for us and why not take advantage of that by trusting in our own prayers and the prayers of others.

On the other hand, it is a reminder to me to 1.) live right and 2.) pray for others a little more.

How does that radio commercial go - "Not a sermon, just a thought."

Just a thought.