Praying in different new places can fill us with new connections or energy with our Maker.
Vivien in Ankara after mass on a Sunday.
Have you heard about about praying at different alters? I do wonder if this means different things to different people?
One of the things I tend to do when I visit a new church is to kneel before the alter and pray. I love praying at different alters.
I love praying in a new environment.
I love praying in an open space.
I love praying close to nature.
I love praying close to rivers too.
I love the new connections.
Anyways, let’s focus on the churches for now.
I look forward to praying before a different alter.
I do light candles; if they have such there.
Do you have a similar practices?
Or
Do you find it embarrassing to kneel and pray before alters after mass or service?
In all things, have a grateful heart. There are so many things to be grateful for. Do not take good friends, health and opportunities for granted. The list is endless.
Paperback of Gratitude Journal. Available in hardcover.
A gratitude journal will help you adopt this positive lifestyle approach. Check here for more information.
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How have you been? I had an interesting conversation with someone recently. As we discussed, the topic began to change slightly.
It was about how life happens to us most times. How we tend to accept things that come our way even when we wish some of them never happened.
They were of the strong opinion that praying for “God’s will” can be a form of weakness. More like a hopeless prayer.
People ought to know what they desire and ask God for it specifically.
Like you need to ask for:
What you want.
Be specific.
Personally, I haven’t seen it that way although I can understand their views.
I would normally think it means you know God’s will is always the best.
Then, we all know that we don’t even know what God wills for us.
There are things we need badly and they are yet to happen regardless of how often we have asked God for them.
Then again, God’s will happens regardless of whether we ask for them or not.
Do we even know God’s will for us …?
We learn everyday.
I guess we need to be very specific most times as He will always do His will.
One of the responses I got from a priest reads:
“No, I don’t think prayer governs God. Instead, prayer makes us to be disposed of God’s will. If our will aligns with God’s will, our petition goes our way. If our will is contrary to God’s will, God’s will happens. Prayer makes us to accept God’s will that is contrary to our will without much complaint. This does not mean that we cannot have a particular or specific intention in prayer.
Remember the prayer of Jesus at the garden of Gestimany (Luke 22:42), which should serve as our model of prayer. Jesus’ particular intention was that the father should take the cup of suffering away. However He ended by saying, not His will but God’s will be done. God’s will is for him to suffer and he did suffer. His prayer, nevertheless, strengthened Him.”
How can I not share that beautiful write-up with you.
In addition, another comment reads:
“I think the statement on ‘being like a child’ to enter the Kingdom of God, could be referred to here. Trusting God like a baby would, his/her mum/dad, relying on what they decided is best, is the safest course of action. Blabbering about stuff you assumed is best for you rather than praising God and working hard to be in tune with Him, could lead to confusion, frustration and even mental health issues.
How do you know when to stop asking for more? Leaving your destiny in God’s hands does not imply endorsement of laziness, it means going about your business with a confidence for success and not in fear of failure. It means accepting defeat and disappointment without breaking down, because you believe you’re not entirely in charge. It’s a highly liberating way to live and operate. Of course, you have to be contented with the barest necessities, rather irrelevant lifestyle.”
Over to you…
What do you think?
Do have a blessed day ☺️If you like this post, please comment, share and subscribe to my blog.
You might want to have a look at the Religion category.
When life challenges happen, be consoled. Have some faith knowing that love conquers all.
I love yesterday’s reading.
All of it.
The popular verses we hear often were read in churches.
Isn’t it amazing to know that God already knew all of us before we began to exist?
He knew what we currently are and all we are yet to become.
We are prophets! This isn’t the first time the scripture refers to us as prophets.
By baptism, we are made prophets.
So, look deep down and ask yourself if you are in anyway serving this purpose?
Before I digress, the other popular verse was center bout love. This verse was used mostly on valentine’s day or birthday Cards.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, it is not pompous, It is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth.
It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.”
They sound so familiar right? Who doesn’t love love?
In marriages, patience will be tested over and over again.
You will have to become resilient. You will be offended countless times.
Yet, you need to trust your spouse.
Then, we are reminded that Love never fails.
This same love rekindles trust.
It is important that we know that we have religion for consolation.
When life throws it’s pains and sorrows, we need some consolation.
Religion is there to see us through it all.
For relationships and marriages experiencing difficult times, may your love for another never end.
May our faith bring us comfort and consolation despite challenges.
Do get spiritually prepared for Christmas too, just like you would while planning for clothes and gifts.
I thought I should share this excepts with you.
As we prepare for Christmas, read this:
“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap.
For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.”
I love those lines of the scripture.
Are you vigilant and prepared for the lord’s coming?
Just like you shop for clothes, gifts, food stuffs, and eager to visit people, are you making some spiritual preparation for Christmas?
Do not be caught off guard.
. .
When you feel overwhelmed,
Pause.
Then, think about the bigger picture. .
Do not feel trapped when you struggle or have doubts.
Pause.
Thank God for the gift of Life.
In all these, be grateful knowing it can open further doors. . .
Dear God, may we hear your voice. Open our hearts. May we be attentive to You🙏🏽
Have a wonderful Advent season 李
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At this time of remembering of Christ’s passion and resurrection, may we remind ourselves that we are human created in God’s image. We ought to be christlike in our thoughts and actions be it in our homes or workplaces/schools.
As Christ carried His cross even till death may we carry ours with peace and in resignation to God’s will. May the risen Lord visit you and your family.
Wishing you all a happy easter celebration. May God bestow on you the gift of His peace. May your hearts be filled with blessings and deepest calm that never cease.
On a different note, was there anything you gave up during the lent? I do not mean chocolates this time. For example, giving up habitual sins and telling lies among others.
Do guide your spiritual life. Be humble before God.
Hi friends, hope you are all good and staying safe? Permission to digress, I was having an intriguing conversation with someone the other day and the entire chat took a different dimension when she asked one question.
The call conversation was about chritianity, christ teachings, what is expected of us.
She asked ‘’why do you catholics worship mary? It is no where in the bible?”
I told her that we simply honour the mother of Jesus. I mentioned the first miracle of Jesus – where he turned water 💦 into wine 🍷. It was all driven by his mother, mary. That implies that we can get to Jesus through mary.
The entire verse goes this way:
Lets read the scripture together John 2.
I gave her other illustrstions and applied same to real life. There are cases where you can easily reach out to someone or get a favour done by going through their mother.
She eventually agreed with me.
I was quite pleased that I had facts and was able to discuss that with her. Trust me, this woman knows her bible so well, I wish I’m somewhat that good too with the scriptures.
However, as a Legionary I know a lot about mother mary. Unfortunately, for years now I have found my mself in places where Legion of Mary doesn’t exist. Currently, I’m a Vincentian which is not active in my local either. You cannot compare the two though.
Hey! I’m trying to rekindle in us the energy needed for our spiritual life and spiritual growth. We need to pray like warriors and take charge of our lives.
On a good note, I recently found a charismatic online prayer group which has been a blessing to me lately. I can’t begin to tell you how much I have learnt from these amazing people. They give a deeper and meaningful interpretation to bible verses I already know. I find them very supportive. Some people are truly working for God. God bless them🙏🏼
If you want to discuss more about any aspects of this post, do contact me. I occasionally post religious blogs. Feel to peruse the blog. For similar posts, notify me in the comment section and subscribe to this blog.
Hi Friends, I want to remind us today about giving alms. I know it’s something we are all aware of.
However, my question to you today is “when was the last time you helped the poor?”
Is it something of the past?
Are you aware they poor people still exist?
Are you aware that you are better off than some people?
Are you aware of those around you who are in need of one want or the other?
Have you been a victim where you feel cheated and think you do not need to cater for the needy anymore?
Remember the we ought to do good always, regardless.
Only our heavenly father who sees in the secret will reward us.
We are all in a battle to be better humans and greater versions of ourselves.
We need Gods grace, else we cannot do much on our own.
Do you remember the bible that says that giving alms covers multitude of sins?
The bible verse above adds that this kind act of generosity should be done in secret. We live in the era of social media when everything appear to be better publicised. However, as humans we should know what is expected of us at all time.
We shouldn’t be quick to please humans, feed our ego and displease God. Thereby, blocking the blessings that awaits us.
For a very long time, I’ve heard so much about Jehovah withnesses inability to receive blood transfusion based on their religious belief. Other sources have it that they are best known for it.
Recently, I had a genuine encounter. It happened that I was looking after a man in his late sixties who was severely ill and had underwent a bloody surgery. As a result, so much blood was lost.
On going through his theatre paperwork, he had agreed that there will be no blood transfusion of any sort even if it results to death. Mere reading those lines gave me chills. That kind of faith is powerful.
Families were present and made sure the request of their loved one was acted upon regardless of the circumstances. Interesting, one of the children was of different religion but still supported the rest of the family.
It was then I got to know that as a Jehovah withness, you ought to have a passport that clearly states your inability to receive blood transfusion and present it Doctors.
My patient had lost his passport recently and it was a bit of an issue because the consultant I had worked with demanded to see it. As far as he was concerned, the verbal communication and nursing documentations showing the obvious was not just enough to act upon.
“Where’s the passport” He asked.
The situation became more challenging as his haemoglobin (Hb) level dropped further to the lowest level I have ever come across.
As the situation worsened, tension built up. However, almost the time when the Drs had decided to try iron alternatives, one of the relatives coincidentally asked why other alternatives can not be tried. After a multidisciplinary meeting, it was agreed that iron dextran and other supplements will be used instead.
Next time I checked on him, Hb level had slightly gone up; just a little bit.
This makes me wonder how religion significantly affects our health. The look on the relatives faces each time they ask for HB value will always remain with me. It was a difficult situation and extremely challenging as they fought that battle of faith at that very critical time.
