PRAYER REFLECTION

PRAYING FOR THOSE WE LOVE

Drawing upon Luke's Gospel for the 4th Sunday of Lent:  THE PRODIGAL SON story, Michael Dougherty, writing a Sunday reflection for the missalette,  LIVING WITH CHRIST  (www.livingwithChrist.us) offered this thought about 'PRAYER':

 

 

An elderly woman I once knew often shared with me the concerns she had for her children.  She had raised them in the faith.  Each of them individually had the education, security, and love that offered them a strong foundation on which to build their futures.  All too often, though, they wandered from the straight paths.

 

Her grey hair was likely increased by the stress of assuming too many of their burdens too often.  She wasn't rich or well connected;  she couldn't solve all their many problems.  She told me that she came to a point when she realized that HER PRAYER WAS TRULY WHAT SHE COULD OFFER THEM.  

 

One by one her children found their own ways.   One by one the care and love she so unstintingly gave them bore fruit.  When I saw her in her final days, we were all gathered around her worn, frail body in a last celebration of her life and love. 

 

(Realizing that perhaps what she could most importantly and most truly offer to her children were her prayers for them is something for us to ponder when we are at wits end about how we can help those we love.   Believe in the power of your prayers for them;  believe in the significance of offering prayers for the significant people in your life.  And with confidence, let God handle it from there.)