PRAYER, FAITH, AND POWER

PRAYER, FAITH, AND POWER
Janet Siry

False Evidence Appearing Real

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of whose who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

Over the course of these last few weeks, many things have changed regarding life as we once knew it. Each day, I wake up wondering what will unfold in our country and the world. My friends know me as an analytical person. Many thoughts have crossed my mind as I ponder these things.

My lifelong calling has been to serve God with all my heart and in all my deeds. As one would expect, my faith journey and my life journey has been filled with a myriad of emotions and experiences. As a Christian, I am taught to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ who taught us that the greatest commandment was to love one another.

For me, loving others has been easier when others treat me with kindness and respect.I find it difficult to pray for my enemies as the Bible instructs us to do. As a human being, I want to understand why things happen. I am always seeking answers. Sometimes the answers I seek make little sense.

Right now, my logical mind tells me that the world has turned upside down. From moment to moment, I feel uncertainty about the future. When we live in fear, it becomes impossible to make sense of many things. When we live with uncertainty, fear of the unknown becomes a powerful motivator to become self centered and to forget about the need of others. When we are afraid, we have difficulty discerning what is truth and what is misinformation. Sometimes we lash out at others. Sometimes we turn our pain inward and become depressed and want to isolate from the world.

I am using this quiet time to engage in daily prayer and meditation rather than obsess about those things that I cannot change. I am called to remember that, by faith, I can keep my mind and spirit in a place of peace and serenity. It is my perception that in these challenging times, we are all being called to reexamine those things that we once took for granted to determine what is of most value to ourselves and others.

I choose to use this precious time to ponder, as Mary did, about these things that seemingly are contradictory to what I once believed. I am grateful for my friends and family that keep me centered on the gifts of unconditional love.

Prayer can change the world. Nothing is stronger than the prayers of believers united to do God’s will. It may seem as if we are powerless right now but I refuse to accept that this is so. Without a doubt, I know that I am instructed to love the Lord “with all my heart and with all my soul and with all my mind and all my strength.”

Dear Heavenly Father: I ask you to help me remember that by you, all things are possible. Help me to be an example of Your love in the world. Help me to remember the lessons you taught us about love even when this is uncomfortable to do. Make me a living example of your grace. This I ask through your son Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Blessings,
Janet A. Siry, LCSW Child of God

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