It Doesn't Matter

Some say that prayer
doesn't matter

It's a useless waste of time

That no one
hears your cries
and most certainly
no one answers

Some say it doesn't matter

I say
Perhaps they're right...

It doesn't matter...
...what color your skin
...or the color of your hair

It doesn't matter if...
...you're young or old
...weak or strong
...woman or man
...rich or poor
...Gentile or Jew

Prayer is about faith.

It's about believing
in something bigger than you

It's about asking
for God's guiding hand
Upon your shoulder

It's about opening your eyes
and ears
and trusting in His plan

It's about realizing
...even in the darkest hours
That you are exactly where
you are meant to be

And in those hours
It's about
finding light
...and purpose
...and His unfailing love




Today I Pray...

...for the believers

that you continue
to find comfort
in His love

...for the doubters

that you take a moment
to consider the possibilities
that are born of faith

...for the non-believers

that you consider that perhaps
there is an alternate truth to your words
...It doesn't matter

"Amen, I say to you, if you have faith and do not waver, not only will you do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, 'Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' it will be done. Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive." Matthew 21:21-22

Lost and Found

When I was just
a little girl
I lost a precious gold locket
that I had received as a gift

When I realized my loss
I cried

My mother came up
and put her arm around my shoulder,
"Why are you crying?"

I told her what happened
And I sobbed into her tender embrace

"All is not lost," she said
"Did you ask St. Anthony for his help?"

"Who's that?" I asked, puzzled
by the introduction of this new saint.

"When you lose something," she said,
"Just say a prayer to St. Anthony.
He will help you find it."

"Pray like this...
Dear St. Anthony,
please come down,
something's lost
and can't be found."

"Or if you want to be less formal," she said,
"Tony! Tony! Look around!
My locket's lost and must be found."

My mother was now sitting
on the floor of my bedroom
with her legs stretched out in front of her

I laid my head in her lap
And closed my tear-filled eyes

Through sniffles,
I carefully repeated her words

"Dear St. Anthony,
please come down
my locket's lost
and must be found."

I repeated the verse
one more time,
and as I wiped
the tears from my eyes
I saw the sparkle of a silver jewelry box
that had fallen behind my dresser

"What's that?" I said,
as I crawled from my mother's lap
in the direction of the glimmering box

I laid on my belly and
reached under the dresser
to pull out the box

Sure as could be,
it contained my gold locket

I looked up at my mother
with wide-eyed amazement

Then looked to the heavens and said,
"Thank you St. Anthony!"

I still summon that prayer
anytime I've lost something

In fact, St. Anthony and I
have gotten fairly chummy
over the years as I frequently lose
my keys or sunglasses, or shoes

But this morning I thought of him
not because I lost a possession
But I fear sometimes that
I've lost my footing
on this uncertain path that I'm walking



Today I Pray...

Dear St. Anthony
Please come down

Life can be a bit like a maze
Sometimes there are dead ends
Sometimes you take wrong turns
Sometimes we just misstep

I don't know if I'm lost
or just so deep into this maze
That I don't know my way out

Please be that angel on my shoulder
helping to guide me on my way

For You

Today I Pray

...for you.

You are a shining star.
....capable of anything you dare to dream.

The world needs you to dream...
...and never doubt the possibilities that come from believing in yourself
...and allowing the Greater Power to work through you.

You are beautiful.

Thank you for being here right at this moment.
Thank you for being you.

Today my prayers are dedicated to you.

Do you know someone who needs to be uplifted?

Share this sentiment with them...

....the power of prayer is infinite.
...it begins with believing...and grows as you share the joy.

Bless you today and always.

A Shared Prayer

...I received this prayer today and rather than keep it to myself I decided I would share it with you.

May the peace of God and the freshness of the Holy Spirit rest in your thoughts, rule in your dreams tonight, and conquer all your fears. May God manifest Himself today in ways you have never experienced. May your joys be fulfilled, your dreams be closer, and your prayers be answered.

I pray that faith enters a new height for you. I pray for peace, healing, health, happiness, prosperity, joy, true and undying love for God.


If you believe in the power of prayer, please share this with others, subscribe to this blog, and share your prayer requests through the comments below. Help me reach others -- so that people might come to realize that prayer can be very simple -- and extremely powerful. I need your help and prayers -- and others need ours.

Today I pray that this message reaches someone who needs it.

Remember

I think sometimes in the rush of every day life, we lose sight of what really matters in life. So I thought I'd take a moment to share some simple reminders.

Remember the only one responsible for your happiness is you. It's a decision you make every minute of every day, and every day of your life

Remember that no matter what people say, you will never get where you want to, unless you start moving in the direction of your dreams.

When you're faced with a difficult decision that challenges your values -- remember to make choices you would be proud to share with your kids -- or your mother.

When you make a mistake, remember you are human and forgive yourself.
When someone lets you down, remember they are human too.

And most importantly of all -- Remember that God is walking with you ever step of the way -- whether you ask him to be there or not. So since He's with you, there's no sense walking in silence. Pray.