Friday, April 28, 2023

Dear God,

When we pray we are making room for others in our heart of hearts.  We are ushering them into our love, compassion and hope.  We make space for them because we want healing or help or kindness for them.  For all we want peace.

Henri Nouwen and Richard Rohr, both renowned authors and part of my daily circle of friends have taught me a lot about prayer.  Their words, faith and optimism speak daily to me.  I listen and learn.  I am challenged to even make room for those I can barely stand like politicians who vote for bills to limit the rights of people.  I pray for them because you have asked me to pray specifically and corporately.  I can do no less.

It is strange how when I first pray for people I dislike, I can hardly speak their name/s.  My feelings of disgust and anger are present.  I can barely stand praying for them.  Yet, in time those feelings begin to subside because you remind me they are part of my family.  More importantly they are part of yours.  While I still may not like what they believe and practice, I still hold them in prayer in my heart where space is made for everyone.

Loving God,

you do

the impossible.

You change

our hearts.

When we

make space

for you,

what happens

in that space

changes things.

Whoever enters

finds a

loving space

just for them

in prayer.

Thank you.

Love, Andrea