When I was a teenager, I went to a non-denominational Christian boarding school which was fundamentalist to the Nth degree.
I deeply appreciate the experience partially because I lived north of Boston and was able to attend many Shakespearian plays, Red Sox games (sorry, Chicago), Boston Pops, Celtics games Greek plays , and had many more wonderful life-enhancing opportunities I never would have had if I stayed at home and gone to my small town high school.
I learned a lot there too, but much of what I learned in religious matters has been discarded, especially when it came to Catholicism. They despised Catholics.
I heard constant negative aspersions made about Catholics and the Church. I can still repeat the plethora of indictments even though now I totally have embraced the Church, which was viewed by them as second in line with the anti-Christ.
One thing that I am thankful for is a good foundation of biblical education. I can’t tell you how many times I had to read through the Bible during my four years there (ok... I admit... I skipped over the begats and a lot of Leviticus}. It was very helpful in my own spiri
I actually remember still something that was said to me then that is still pertinent, even though I have gone to the proverbial “dark side” in their opinion, because I am Catholic.
Last night while Twittering, (Twitter.com) I threw out a maxim that I had not thought of in years to a friend . Isn’t it funny how things from the past can just reappear, possibly when you or someone else needs to hear it?
What I remembered was a test question, of all things. In one of my Bible classes, we were asked to write down how God answers prayers. The answer was very simple:
- Yes
- No
- Wait
The yes and the no part I had no problem with. I could take things as they came one way or the other. But I wasn’t very good at the “wait” part. Actually, many times I still struggle with waiting in my adulthood! It is low on the list of my virtues! I am one who has consciously avoided praying for patience, because I am sure I would be given way too many chances in which I would have to practice patience!
It has been my experience throughout the years that God sometimes seems as if He is the “God of the 11th hour”—just coming through at the last moment. Have you ever thought you were about to sink and felt hopeless when suddenly, the situation seems to resolve in a manner many times even better than that for which you prayed ?
Does He do that to tease, tantalize, or torment us? I happen to believe the answer to the question is no, because ithe question does not line up with Scripture or the teachings of the Church. Then why the wait?
God seems to try to get our attention many times when we are floating through life without having much awareness of Him. Then things get challenging. Sometimes those tense moments (or days, years, etc) are teachable times for us. It has been during those periods that I have grown the most,and yes, even learning patience, in spite of myself. We actually can learn from waiting!
Prayer is an enormously immense and personal aspect of our faith. People, who are far more intelligent than I, have written volumes on this subject. But this I do know: that prayer is a vital part of having a relationship with God. The simple answers merely encapsulate where we are in our walk with Our Lord.
There are a lot of thoughts and philosophies about how to pray, when to pray or other searching questions, but this I know, He will answer. It may be very simple with His still, small voice within, answering yes, no, or wait.
What has been your experience with prayer? Have you found yourself at the 11th hour before wondering how a situation was going to reach resolution? I would love to hear from you.
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Comments
how is yes, no, wait any different than not answering? I mean, it is nice that prayer brings people comfort but to actually believe it works? If you said prayers are not answered wouldn't the things you pray for either happen, not happen, or happen later? Kind of like yes, no, or wait? And seriously what kind of loving god would answer people's prayer's for deliverance from war torn countries, child abuse, or a burning plane with no or wait. An even better motto is 'nothing fails like prayer'. I realize this sounds inflammatory and I am sorry if that's all it is seen for. I just think it's a rather privileged notion to tell people that god answers their prayers and a more compelling idea would be to empower people to make things happen themselves and to donate your own time, money, and expertise in trying to help other peoples "prayers" come true - people are capable of much more than god.
As Christians, we become a part of the Body of Christ. So, that being said, when WE reach out and help others, when we go to work to solve problems, when we donate time, money and expertise, since we are Christians, it is God working through us..doing His work. In His strength. With inspirations that come from Him, for without HIM we are nothing.
It's interesting that you bring this up; I'm experiencing it in my life today! I've been praying for quite some time about an issue in my life, and just when I felt that all was hopeless, I realized all I had to do was let the Lord work (I was getting a "wait" answer), and things started to fall into place!
I think too many times people get in the way of their own prayers and don't just "let go and let God."
The letter from Francis tells me she is in much pain. I have to trust that God knows what is best for me. Have you ever prayed for something and you felt your prayers weren't answered only to find out later that you are lucky they weren't answered in the way that you asked? God has His reason for saying "No". When I was a kid I would beg my parents for something (like a car) and my Dad would say "No" and of course I asked "why" and he would say "it wouldnt be good for you". I hated that answer, but now that I am grown, I understand his statement. More parents need to tell their children "No". Like my earthly father, God sometimes tells me "no" for the same reason. I still don't like the answer but have to trust that "God the Father" knows best.
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