One of the things that has always annoyed me is when someone says, "I'm praying for you." I wonder if the person really is praying for me or if they're just saying that. My mother in law says it all the time and it drives me NUTS!
There was one girl in college whose answer to everything was, "Did you pray about it?" My senior year, I just had enough of that. So in the middle of the dining hall, I stood up and screamed, "I prayed about my paper, but Jesus is not in my room writing it. Sometimes prayer is NOT the answer." I then stormed out. I half expected a standing ovation because I know a lot of people felt the same way, but no one said a word. The best part of my outburst though was that the next 5 months of school, she didn't talk to me at all. Whew. Should have said that to her earlier!
Now, I'm not against prayer. Don't get me wrong. Had this girl said, "Have you prayed for patience?" or something similar, it would have made perfect sense. But to pray for my assignment? Ridiculous. We are called to action. My friends make fun of me now because I still note that I have prayed for world hunger, but it's still there. So people will say to me, "I'm praying for you... and world hunger." If you're praying for something solely and not doing something to better the situation then you're not really praying. Prayer to me involves action.
I also have issues praying for healing. What if God's plan is not for us to heal from a major illness. My husband's grandmother had ALS. She was dying but my mother in law kept saying she was praying for a miracle. Why? Maybe God is trying to teach us about grace in our final days - which is something that Gam was able to teach me. If you pray for healing and it doesn't happen, then what have you learned? That God doesn't listen to your prayer? My prayers always disclose the fine print -
God... if you do not want healing for this person/situation, then give us the grace to deal with whatever it is you want us to learn and open our ears, eyes and hearts so we have some sort of clue about what the heck you are doing.
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Ramblings on parenthood, religion and culture by a Mommy with definite opinions.
Identity Mixed
- Identity Mixed
- Middle of Nowhere, Appalachia, United States
- mom, wife, volunteer, student, professor, counselor, sister, daughter, friend .... Something different to everyone.
Cast of Characters
BFH - Best Friend who doubles as my Husband. We still like each other after 10 years of marriage.
BL - Big Love. Our oldest. He's currently 3 1/2 and the biggest extrovert you've ever met. Loves sports, animals and refused to let his mother cuddle.
EPT - The "baby." Colic for the first 4 months confirmed we will not have any other. While he is usually the most pleasant kid you've ever met, sometimes he reminds us that we'll never want to pee on a stick again.
The Pack - Two big dogs. Both females. 7 and 10 years of age. Both rescues. Both Omega dogs. It can be interesting.
The Zoo - Includes 2 cats and a box turtle. Sometimes we have a fish. Sometimes we also have a foster dog.
BL - Big Love. Our oldest. He's currently 3 1/2 and the biggest extrovert you've ever met. Loves sports, animals and refused to let his mother cuddle.
EPT - The "baby." Colic for the first 4 months confirmed we will not have any other. While he is usually the most pleasant kid you've ever met, sometimes he reminds us that we'll never want to pee on a stick again.
The Pack - Two big dogs. Both females. 7 and 10 years of age. Both rescues. Both Omega dogs. It can be interesting.
The Zoo - Includes 2 cats and a box turtle. Sometimes we have a fish. Sometimes we also have a foster dog.
3 comments:
thank you for saying all of the things many want to, but don't...about prayer.
When I was a teenager, my godparents used to say, "I'm praying for you," and I thought they meant, "because you are awful and really need help!"
I think a lot of people think that once they "accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior" that he's so thrilled about that that he will grant them anything they want....like a spiritual genie! umm....welll..NO.
Just wait till you see my pics...you think you are jealous now! When the boys are older you should totally do this - rent an MH and drive around AK! Aunt Melissa would even come along (in my own MH, but I'll come!)
My toilet has a view of the beach and the bay...how cool is that! I take a pic so you can see...
Lord, hear our prayers...
with the fine print.
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