Father Wade+ invites you to
join the Lakeland Area Pastors, Clergy, Ministers, Choirs,
Congregations, Civic and Community Leaders for TEN DAYS
of Community Prayer - part of the Global Day of Prayer
Initiatives. Visit http://LakelandPrayer.net for more information!
Fr.
Wade+
Can't
go as a missionary?
Partner with Fr. Wade+
I
thank the Lord that He's blessed me with talents so I can minister
to the outcast, the homeless poor, those who have 'left' the
Church (or were kicked out of some.) But I can't continue to
minister without partners. You can join me by your prayers
and financial support!. Email Wade@BlueKirk.org for
details & benefits.
PRAYER...
Stupid or Stupendous?
a Perspective
Sometimes I wonder if prayer does anything
at all. It seems that I pray, then look around and nothing
happens. Have you ever felt that way?
Then there are the times that I get all worked
up in prayer, feel like I'm "in the groove," and nothing
happens, except that I've had a good venting session. Have
you felt like that, too?
I came across a comment on Twitter classifying
the National Day of Prayer as 'stupid.' (Maybe it's stupid
for people to think that just showing up for a religious
prayer service on one special day, without living their faith
the other 364.) But I wonder if Congress about fifty-eight
years ago thought it was stupid when they passed Public Law
100-307 to call for the President of the United States to
issue a proclamation of National Prayer. (President Obama
did issue a proclamation this year, but chose to pray privately
rather than a public gathering of prayer.)
But what type of prayer moves beyond 'Stupidity'
(expecting God to answer without any faith) towards 'Stupendous'
(extremely impressive, as in getting results)? What type
of prayer moves past the religious dude trying to make a
show, thinking God will answer because he has the proper
technique down and/or has not committed too many sins (and
has given to support the work of Father Wade & Blue Kirk Mission)?
Isn't it the prayer that has moved beyond humiliation
(leading to loneliness and despair) to humility (leading
to an open heart and mind) receiving divine assistance? Isn't
it the prayer that contains a 'point of contact' with the
supernatural Nature and Life of Almighty God, freeing us
from our own limitations? Isn't it a prayer that is offered
'in the Spirit' after we've entered into communion with God?
Isn't it the prayer that is prayed AFTER we've 'prayed through?'
I suppose that in one sense there are no 'stupid'
prayers, just like there are no 'stupid' questions. So I'm
going to continue in prayer, either 'stupid or 'stupendous,'
because I believe that God does hear my prayers. Who knows?
What might seem like a 'stupid' prayer to me (like asking
for daily bread), might just be 'stupendous' in the Kingdom
of Heaven. (HINT: I think it is.)
The bottom line is this. If you read Holy Scriptures
and the Lives of the Saints you will learn of how other believers
prayed and how God answered their prayers. Faith comes by
hearing and hearing the Word of God. (Sometimes I wonder
why I have such a 'short term memory problem' concerning
God's provision when I'm moving forward into uncharted
waters.)
It's been said that the 'family that prays
together, stays together.' I don't know if that is 100% true
or not. But I do know that if a family comes together like
a mini-Church (you know, where 2 or 3 are gathered together,
there Jesus is), there is opportunity for forgiveness, salvation
and healing. Maybe that kind of prayer is stupendous! Why
not try it?
"After a long spell of prayer,
do not say that nothing has been gained, for you have
already achieved something. For, after all, what higher
good is there than to cling to the Lord and to persevere
in unceasing union with Him?"
- St. John Climacus.
Peace be with you!
Father Wade+
Contributions to support our missionary
work may be mailed to:
Blue Kirk Mission
541 S. Florida Ave.
Lakeland, FL 33801
Father
Wade is an ordained Old Catholic Priest
in Lakeland, FL. He is the founder of Blue
Kirk Mission, which started 'Reflections of Prayer
at Lake Mirror,' - part of the National & Global
Days of Prayer Initiatives. For more information, visit
the blog at: http://GoStAndy.blogspot.com.
"Chariots
of Fire" Improv
Short Music on February 22, 2009
___________
"Your Light Has Come"
A
short Epiphany homily by Father Wade Fahnestock+ FriarWade
at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Lakeland,
FL
___________
THE ADVENTURE continues!
Father Wade+...
___________
Visit LakelandPrayer
As the elections have marked a choice in our nation's direction for the
next four years. Don't forget about your daily elections - the
choice between seeking the Kingdom of Heaven or your own - that's
a daily - even an hourly election! ___________
We support Faith In Action. Please visit www.fiacl.org
