April 4, 2025
"Pray for These", He Said
Friends, I often fall into the trap of thinking that if I put more effort into prayer, God will reward me. There is an ancillary trap here, too, that if and when I feel close to God or He hears my prayer, it is because I (ME!) have accomplished sufficient work to the point where God relents.
I want to share what transpired yesterday.
I was in a Chapel before the Blessed Sacrament, praying fervently for my family and the souls of the recently departed (we had attended a funeral earlier in the day). I was rattling off to God all the good things for family and friends: health, faith, reduced anxiety, peace, etc. I really do not like doing this, but I revert to this type of prayer all too often.
Yesterday was different, and I know it had nothing to do with me. That's a healthy starting point for God chose to break through and He spoke quite clearly. That is why I included "He Said" in the subject line. He sure did.
So, rambling as I often do, God gently spoke clearly;
Pray for these, He said. Pray for your loved ones that they...
"Hear my voice. Feel my presence."
In truth, I doubted that what I heard clearly was from the Lord, so I waited. Upon waking this morning, it was again what I heard.
If you are reading this, please know that this is my prayer for you, your family, and loved ones, above all else. Hearing His voice, there is no more truthful voice or truer sound. To feel His presence? Bliss!
Please be open to Him. He waits for each of us and He will make Himself present to all of us.
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