Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Dear God,

Thank you for gentle nudges to pray for strangers.  In doing so you remind me of the interconnection of all humanity.  We are, indeed, a family.

Praying for strangers half way around the world inspires me to be compassionate.  It grows my heart to consider the needs of those I do not know.  It challenges me to think more broadly when my prayers just cover my own loved ones.  It teaches me to act responsibly to care for many who live in difficult situations.  It keeps me from thinking just about me and mine.

Praying for people with whom you make me aware helps me imagine the width and depth of your love for all humanity, not just some.  You love the saints but also the vilest offender.  How can I pray for victims and not pray for their perpetrators who need prayer and change even more?

One of the toughest lessons I have ever had to learn came when you charged me with the task of praying for those who had hurt me deeply.  At first I was resistant but you would not let me go.  You urged me to pray not only for their transformation but also my own.  You knew over time my heart would change toward them.  Love would come and my bitterness would begin to melt away.  You would move to create a clean heart within me.  But that would be only the first step.  In making more room in my heart for love and compassion you then set me on a path to pray for a wider circle of people, your whole family and not just for those presently on the planet but those who will be born today and tomorrow and next year and into eternity.

Thank you
for gentle nudges
and even
divine pushes
that stretch
and grow
my faith.
Thank you
for the
eternal cord
that connects
you to me
and me
to others.
Thank you
for grace
that is
the deepest link
of all.

Love, Andrea