Look! One of the fish is being prayed for! Carp in pool at the Ihilani.
Good Morning, God!
I love doing this blog! I love picking out photos. When I selected this one, I had no idea what the caption would be. But, it just came to me so clearly! When we pray for someone we help focus Your Light upon them.
I remember Rev. Marge Terpstra saying that when we pray for someone — we can ask You God to surround them with Light. I forget exactly how that came up. Might it have been because I was inclined to pray that You would FIX people, God? When we pray for people we love it is easy to pray for them to be surrounded by Your Light — Your Golden Healing Light.
However, when we are embarked on the difficult work of praying for someone we feel has wronged us — or harmed someone dear to us — it is so tempting to pray for them to SEE THE LIGHT AND REPENT.
I’m sitting here, smiling ruefully. What came to mind when I wrote the phrase SEE THE LIGHT was the image of an interrogation room with a bright light shining in the face of the accused — rubber hose at the ready. Sigh. That’s what’s in MY heart, God — not in Your Heart.
I just started a book called Jewish Pirates of the Caribbean — no, it’s not a joke book by Mel Brooks — it is well researched book about Jews who fled the Inquisition back in the 1600’s. I didn’t know that the Inquisition was also active in the New World. The Inquisition was so Evil — and to think that they did it in Your Name, God! Please forgive us!
We humans seem inclined to “force” people into “right relationship” with You. Mind You, a somewhat assertive prayer isn’t as bad as the Inquisition that tortured men’s bodies — then burned them alive — to “save their souls” (and incidentally confiscate their property).
But, I take Your Point God! You command us to Pray for our Enemies! And You tell us that if they are thirsty GIVE THEM A DRINK — if they are hungry FEED THEM. Somehow, I am pretty sure You would want us to HEAR THEM, too. Help us, God . . . Please, HELP US! EXPAND OUR HEARTS!
Story teller,
thank you so much Margie, I love the gentleness of your concern for others and yet your earnest care and ginuine prayers. This is a beautiful thing you are doing. Please add me to your email list if you will. Blessings and Aloha,
Dean