Saturday, August 18, 2012

If someone asks for your prayers? Just DO it! Now!

Today, after Mass, a very good friend asked for my prayers. I responded, quite truthfully, that in fact I prayed for him every morning.

Wrong response!

When someone asks for you to pray for him or her, do it immediately. Never mind that you prayed for that person already, or -- even worse -- that you intend to pray for that person. Or worse even than that, the Pavlolian response: "yes of course I'll pray for you."

Why is this a wrong—or least an woefully inadequate response? Here's analogy:

Picture yourself in a dark alley somewhere. Someone, you sense, is after you, perhaps armed. Thank God, here comes a policeman! You—sensibly—say: "Hey, Officer! Please help me! I think I'm in danger!"

And the man in blue responds: "Oh don't worry. I protect folks all the time. If you're ever in trouble, just call on me...or any police officer. Meanwhile, know I'm on the job!"

And then he walks away, cheerfully convinced he's done his duty.

And there you are, a sitting duck for the guy you sense is on his way to get you.

Prayer is a powerful weapon. 

A gun or a shield or an armed officer is also a powerful weapon—potentially. But unless he or it is used immediately, he or it is pretty much useless at the moment. Use it, or it's rendered impotent. 

So the next time someone says "please pray for me" here's what you want to do.

Stop. And pray. Right then and right now.

Never mind your good intentions. You might not live to realize them. A sobering thought, but true.

You just stop and pray. Maybe a "quick" Ave—by the way, an incredibly powerful prayer—or maybe a more intense prayer, depending on the requester's needs.

But never mind the "sure I'll keep you in my prayers" or any of the other well-meant promises.

You might forget, you know. Or you might not get the chance to carry out your promise.

So why delay? Pray! Right then, and right now.

May God continue to bless you.





Saturday, August 11, 2012

Thank you, Paul Ryan...

...for saying "yes."