tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post5794621921446804763..comments2023-09-12T11:31:20.729-05:00Comments on Straight-Friendly: Always Keep on PrayingTimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01271248501086241494noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-25965531186400947662010-08-14T20:55:35.757-05:002010-08-14T20:55:35.757-05:00Sanctifying those we pray for with gratitude--what...Sanctifying those we pray for with gratitude--what a magnificent idea, Claire! Endless joy indeed.<br /><br />Thank you for this!<br /><br />Blessings always,<br />TimTimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01271248501086241494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-78730925430518528162010-08-14T10:30:59.796-05:002010-08-14T10:30:59.796-05:00A great post and lovely comments, Tim. I agree wit...A great post and lovely comments, Tim. I agree with your way of looking at prayer. I read today that "You sanctify whatever you are grateful for." (A. de Mello in Fr J. Martin's latest book). So often I start my prayers with thanking Godde for the people in my life for whom I am about to pray. Sanctifying them... Hm... Endless joy.<br /><br />Thank you for this very special post, Tim :-)claire bangasserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12380558962103134334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-32399537886756074892010-08-13T12:06:37.244-05:002010-08-13T12:06:37.244-05:00That's the way to pray, Tom--as though God'...That's the way to pray, Tom--as though God's beside us because... well, He (She) is. I know the "customer service" feeling, as well. While it's frustrating, listening to the messages He's provided while we wait helps redeem the time!<br /><br />Have a blessed weekend, my friend. I hope it's cool where you are; we're praying for relief in these parts!<br /><br />Peace,<br />TimTimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01271248501086241494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-80074948708961458112010-08-13T11:03:58.341-05:002010-08-13T11:03:58.341-05:00I like it, Tim. I confess to being a phone hugger...I like it, Tim. I confess to being a phone hugger. I veber have long conversations, but I seem to spend hours on hold waiting for customer service. ;-)<br /><br />My prayer life is quite informal. I talk to God as though he (or she) were sitting next to me, often asking help for those in need, asking him WHY, and when I feel like I'm at the end of my rope, asking for a few more feet of rope.TomCathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11397335545286040472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-23837145344708336802010-08-13T01:34:25.579-05:002010-08-13T01:34:25.579-05:00I like that image from Revelation. Will drop in as...I like that image from Revelation. Will drop in as time permits. I like good conversations, and, yes, I guess some might consider me a prayer warrior, except I don't think of myself that way. I just think of always having a "buddy" (God) around to talk to about whatever I need to talk.Elizabeth Mahlouhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00334700057953625321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-19617421312179262052010-08-12T21:51:28.423-05:002010-08-12T21:51:28.423-05:00Elizabeth, welcome to Straight-Friendly! I've ...Elizabeth, welcome to Straight-Friendly! I've just come from reading your most recent post and I can see you are what my Southern relatives call "a prayer warrior!" Your comment means very much.<br /><br />While I don't belong to an organized prayer group, I've been blessed with a tight circle of friends who work the same way. And over the past two years, this blog has also brought together a group of readers who stay in touch electronically to agree in prayer on needs as they arise. In both cases, the requests and concerns reach far beyond our immediate needs to include others, many of whom probably have no idea how many people are praying for them.<br /><br />This is a blessing, indeed--and a comfort, because when I'm trouble, I remind myself that God has no doubt seen that people I don't know and never will are praying for me.<br /><br />I wanted to include a reference to Revelation 5.8 in this post, but it would added considerable length so I decided to save it for another time. But it is my favorite image of prayer: John of Patmos tells of seeing 4 angelic beings and 24 elders, each "holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints." Sometimes, when I'm praying, I envision my prayers rising before God, fragrant and appealing to His eye. And I love that, because it suggests our prayers ignite His senses in many ways.<br /><br />Thanks so much for your comment. I trust you'll find time to come by and add more to our discussions.<br /><br />Blessings always,<br />TimTimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01271248501086241494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-26246283788822559402010-08-12T20:40:31.109-05:002010-08-12T20:40:31.109-05:00lovely post. I belong to a prayer group in which p...lovely post. I belong to a prayer group in which people will call during the day and ask each other to pray for someone in need -- not necessarily each other, even. This group is a real blessing.Elizabeth Mahlouhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00334700057953625321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-20687790195258912842010-08-12T15:19:55.746-05:002010-08-12T15:19:55.746-05:00We all have a lot to work on, Vikki. And because t...We all have a lot to work on, Vikki. And because the need for us to pray for so many is so great, I think we'll always have a lot to work on. <br /><br />Your comment reminds me very much of my mom, who did exactly as you describe. I can't tell you how many hundreds of times growing up she'd mention feeling burdened about someone--or several someones. Often after our family prayer time ended and she'd put my brother and me to bed, she'd sneak downstairs to the room below mine. Through the air vents, I'd hear her weeping before God as she prayed for the people He'd placed on her heart. <br /><br />What always struck me about her prayers was how thorough they were. If the person was sick, for example, she'd pray God's will and healing. But she'd also pray for physicians treating him/her, the family members and caregivers, the individual's peace of mind, the children who were frightened to see their parent so ill, added provision to meet the family's financial and physical stress, etc. <br /><br />When Mom prayed for someone she stepped into their shoes so she could also pray <i>around</i> them. She did this no matter who the person was or the nature of the need. And, at some point, every prayer included two requests: "show them Your love" and "build a hedge of protection around them so they'll stay safe in Your care."<br /><br />All these years later, she still prays this way. And she says exactly what you say. Unburdening herself before she sleeps enables her to rest well.<br /><br />Your habit is one we all should adopt. Thanks for sharing it!<br /><br />Blessings always, dear friend,<br />TimTimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01271248501086241494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-84837741425377723112010-08-12T14:45:22.399-05:002010-08-12T14:45:22.399-05:00I pray all the time, but I still take the time at ...I pray all the time, but I still take the time at night when I go to bed to sop and pray about friends and loved ones. I rest so much better in having done this. I find it to be an extension of my heat for those I care about. <br /><br />I still have a lot to work on. <br /><br />:)kkrynohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07727264476742817993noreply@blogger.com