• Home
    • About
  • Prayer Diary
  • Daily Quote
    • Untitled
    • Archives Quote musings 2012
    • Archives, Quote musings 2011
  • Word & Image
  • Resource List
  • Books
  • Prayers and Poems
  • Spiritual Books
  • Archives, scripture
  A Prayer Diary

Prayer works

1/15/2023

0 Comments

 
Picture
I want to tell you what I have recently learned about prayer. Not only what I learned about prayer but what I now know! Prayer works. Prayer makes the difference in the hope we can feel  and in what has actually happened. 
    Last week my grandson was randomly attacked in broad daylight on a city street.  The assailant got away, my grandson was helped and taken by ambulance to a hospital to get stitches. He is now under the care of a skilled physician and will be back at work this week. That is only the skeleton of the his story, but it is enough for my purpose here. One might say that his story is my testimony. 
     When I heard this news I started praying and then I began contacting my prayer friends—a group in my church and a small group outside of church. When I say prayer friends, I mean friends who really pray. That’s what was needed, PRAYER. The responses from these friends showed me their different prayers, wording, emphasis. One was not better than the other. Each was from the heart, human heart to the heart of God’. Intercessory prayer, heart to heart, prayer working.

0 Comments

Prayers for Damar Hamlin

1/7/2023

0 Comments

 
I think it fair to say that everyone is offering their own version of thoughts and prayers for Damar Hamlin. This outpouring of love began the minute Darmar fell on the field from cardiac arrest. It started with his teammates, then to the other team, the fans in the stands, those watching on TV. The news media picked it up and the story kept going, way beyond the usual life span news of a football injury. 
    So why did the outpouring of love move beyond that moment on the field? Why were Darmar’s first words  upon become conscious, “Did we win the game?” Why are people contributing to Damar’s charity toy drive? Why has Darmar just told his teammates over a video meeting, “Love you guys”? Why is this still as story on the top new shows? 
      Why? Because while the medical corp was doing its job, everyone else on the field started praying as they formed a human prayer box around Damar.  The fans on the field saw this and they prayed. Viewers saw this on their TV screen and they prayed. As the news spread, the news of Damar and the news of the prayer box, more people prayed. And this prayer is continuing , prayer of love, not just for Damar, but for good to happen in the world.
0 Comments

Praying--it is enough!

11/28/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
Here’s my challenge: What to do when I don’t hear from a close friend that I know is involved with a serious problem? I pray for her; I reach out to ask how things are going; I pray some more, daily; I don’t hear back; I keep praying. 
    Writing this for you, my prayer diary friends, most of whom I don’t know personally, helps me hear God’s answer. So thank you being there. Yes, I hear the answer—keep praying. If there is something my friends needs me to do, she will reach out. She knows I am here as a friend if she wants personal contact. She knows I am praying. It is enough!

0 Comments

Healing Power #5

8/30/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
Discussions about intercessory prayer often begin with a question. In my previous post Henri Nouwen posed one. Today, I ponder a question by George MacDonald (1824-1905), Scottish author, poet, and Christian minister: “And why should the good of anyone depend on the prayer of another?” Although he is confident enough to answer, he does so with another question: “I can only answer with the return question, ‘Why should my love be powerless to help another?’” 
        MacDonald was writing at a time and place when the Christian theology of a loving God, who created human kind in God’s imagine, was accepted and believed throughout the culture. I love his nineteenth century response, which I believe is an affirmation of the power of love; but must work through twenty-first century intellectualism and skepticism  to turn his question into a statement of faith: my love is powerful enough to help another.

0 Comments

Healing power #1

8/15/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
Physical healing, emotional healing, psychological healing, situational healing! Healing can seem so obvious—you get better!  You go from something bad, uncomfortable, and fearful, to no longer feeling angry, afraid or sick. You are now are loving, healthy, calm. You feel healed. 
    That summary just rolled from my finger tips to the screen. I didn’t have to do much thinking because like many people, I know what bad things need to be healed and the results of what this healing might look like. As a person of faith, I am intrigued with the healings Jesus performed and how they might translate into what we, 2000 years later, might do. 
    Jesus prayed, and so I pray. I pray to discern my part in God’s healing; I pray for God’s healing love to surround a person or situation; I pray that my loving heart reaches out to God’s loving heart; I pray Jesus walking with the person needing healing. I pray as I am able, which is the best I can do, all I can do. I’m not looking for results or proof that I’m on the right track, or for some amazing healing, or for some cause and effect result .
    I don’t have THE ANSWER, but I know and have come to believe that healing happens through prayer. Through reading and prayer I have been gathering ideas about healing. I will share them in subsequent posts. 


​

0 Comments

Praying in the mystery

6/19/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
In our prayers we often admit that although God already knows the situation, we’re going to pray anyway. We may be serious, but when I think about praying such a prayer, I feel disingenuous. At best, such a prayer helps me be more compassionate toward the person or situation prayed for. In other words it helps me, and for sure I need help in that area. 
    If that is the most that prayer does, however, I will remain an egocentric person because I am praying for my own salvation. Maybe I’ll be moved to help the person or situation, but there has to be more. 
    Let’s look at this another way. What happens when we believe that our prayer has an affect on God, that in some mysterious way we can change God. I say mysterious because I keep my prayer in the mystery. My words are brief and unspecific; they touch on asking for love. I visualize light and love surrounding the person or situation. I breathe. That’s it. In faith I know that my prayer is heard; in hope I know that my prayer is answered; in love I know that all is well.

0 Comments

Pray for peace

1/7/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
I feel so frustrated/sad/angry/fearful/responsible/arrogant/righteous… for the vitriol in our politics. AND, I know that it isn’t just in others with whom I disagree; it is also in me. “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me,” goes the song. 
I am hearing that I am to pray for peace, which means that I stop listening to the news. But I want to have it both ways—pray for peace and also feel superior and righteous about my point of view. Would you please say a prayer for me about this?

0 Comments

Intercessory prayer

8/30/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
For thirty or so years I have known that God has called me to pray for people. I’ve always resonated with that phrase pray for people, rather than to be an intercessor, which sounds hierarchical, elitist, and privileged. Well, it isn’t. Is myriad ways and with myriad words, Jesus called us to join him to be prayer people and intercessors. So, I am  letting go paying attention to terms. What is important is that God prays and God’s call us to pray. 
       Intercessory prayer can be a lonely task if I let it be. And yet, it only happens with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit in community with me and the person I’m praying for. 
      The Holy Spirit is always present. When I pray for someone I picture them walking with me and then Jesus comes and the three of us walk together and then the two of them walk off and I stay by myself with God. As they go with Jesus I feel released from worry and fear I might have about them. When my worries and fears return, I pray them back with Jesus. 
      On a good day I know that I am answering God’s call and that God is answering my prayer. Some days, and some prayer times, it is all about me and I forget God. God knows all about that; thankfully God keeps me tethered.

0 Comments

Prayer: the grace of Christ working thru me

7/27/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
 Prayer is the Grace of Christ working thru me.  I wrote that down recently but can’t recall where I saw it. Those six words, however,  resonated deeply with me. Prayer is such as mysterious idea, with no worthy definition. Sometimes we can claim some proof that prayers were answered, but not as any scientific fact. We know and have come to believe--a message given throughout the Gospel of John and many of the epistles.
     I know and have come to believe that God has called me to pray for people—the official phrase is intercessory prayer, but I like the more folksy ‘pray for people (and situations).’ But what does this mean? What am I doing? The best I can say right now, today, at this moment, is that I say a name, and feel/picture the grace of Christ working through/around that person. Having that little visual helps me know and believe that Christ is working for the good, and that I have some little, mysterious roll in it. And, I find myself letting go of any power or control I think I might have over it.

0 Comments

Praying for my enemies

5/11/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
 This is what I am hearing today about praying for my enemies. The enemies I am considering are those who in the political arena are not speaking with honesty nor with love. Jesus tells us to love everyone, which means Jesus calls me to love people who do not love everyone (of course that includes me). Enough said. You get my point. 
    My prayer is simple, short, and frequent. It is more visual than with words. I pray Jesus walking with everyone, which includes individuals,  and surrounding them with love. That’s it. That’s all. Anything more leads me to telling Jesus what I think they should do. Love is enough.

0 Comments
<<Previous
    Contact me
    bobbifisher.mac@mac.com

    Archives

    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011

    Categories

    All
    55 Maxims Of Fr. Hopko
    Amy Carmichael
    Anne Lamott
    Art
    Assisi
    Awe
    Bede Griffiths
    Benedict
    Bible
    Billy Graham
    Blessing
    Bliss
    Bonhoeffer
    Books
    Breathe
    Brigit
    Call
    Canticle Of The Sun
    Celtic Daily Prayer
    Centering Prayer
    Christ
    Christian Life
    Christmas
    Church
    Cloud Of Unknowing
    Coleridge
    Communion
    Compassion
    Contemplation
    Contemplation And Action
    Contemplation And Action
    Cottage By The Sea
    Craft
    Cross Roads
    Cynthia Bourgeault
    Dad
    Daily Prayer
    David Steindl-Rast
    Death
    Death And Dying
    Desert Mothers And Fathers
    Desiderata
    Dietrich Bonhoeffer
    Doris Grumbach
    Easter
    Edinburgh
    Emmet Fox
    Energy
    Ermetic Life
    Eve Kiley
    Everyday Simplicity
    Faith
    Fasting
    Father Maximos
    Fear
    Florence
    Food
    Forgiveness
    Frederick Buechner
    Friends
    Fruit Of The Spirit
    Gardens
    Gift
    Giving And Receiving
    Giving Thanks
    Giving Thanks
    God Moment
    Grace
    Gratitude
    Harold Rohheiser
    Healing
    Health
    Heart
    Hildegard De Bigen
    Holy Spirit
    Holy Week
    Hope
    Hospitality
    Howard Thurman
    Humility
    Humor
    I Believe
    Icons
    Intercessory Prayer
    Intercessory Prayer
    Iona
    Iona Prayer Circle
    Ireland
    Italy
    James Martin
    Jeffrey M. Gallagher
    Jesus
    Jesus Prayer
    Joan Chittister
    Job
    Julian Of Norwich
    Kate Tristram
    Katherine Paterson
    Kazantzakis
    Kinds Of Prayer
    Kingdom
    Kyriacos C. Markides
    Laura Hillenbrand
    Lent
    Louie Zamparini
    Love
    Maranatha
    Margaret Bullitt Jonas
    Margaret Bullitt-Jonas
    Marsha Sinetar
    Martin B. Copenhaver
    Mary Luti
    Mary Oliver
    Matthew 25
    Max Ehrmann
    Meditation
    Meeting Jesus In The Gospel Of John
    Meister Eckhart
    Midrash
    Ministry
    Miracles
    Mom
    Monastery
    Monastery Of The Heart
    Mountain Of Silence
    Moving
    Music
    Mystery
    Nature
    Northumbria Community
    Now
    Oliver Herford
    Oswald Chambers
    Othona Community
    Outreach
    Oxyrtynchus Manuscript
    Pamela Dalton St. Francis
    Peace
    Phyllis Tickle
    Pilgrimage
    Pope Francis
    Praise
    Prayer
    Prayer List
    Prayer Questions
    Prayer Questions
    Prayer Shawls
    Prayer Walk
    Pray Without Ceasing
    Psalms
    Raven's Bread
    Reading
    Religious Orders
    Retreat
    Richard Rohr
    Robert J. Wicks
    Rome
    Ronald Rolheiser
    Ross King
    Rule Of Life
    Sabbath
    Sacred Places
    Sacrifice
    Scotland
    Scripture
    Silence
    Simone Weil
    Simplicity
    Sister Madonna Kolbenschlag
    Skye
    Society Of Saint John The Evangelist
    Sol
    Solitude
    Son Of Man
    Spiritual Exercises
    SSJE
    St Augustine685a78b5bd
    St Benedict2e69d019b8
    St Brigid8a489d0d27
    St Francisb0c25165c2
    St Francisda1a8c4071
    St Ignatius97c6861c0b
    Suffering
    Taize Lent743fec0e30
    Talking With God
    Thanksgiving
    The Reader
    Thomas Keating
    Thomas Merton
    Thomas-merton
    Thy Will Be Done
    Trinity
    Unbroken
    Upper Room
    Walking With God
    Walter Ciszek
    Way Of A Pilgrim
    Wm Paul Young757e23b986
    Wonder
    Writing

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.