Today’s Gospel tells us that if we ask, we will receive. But this is not the experience of many. People come to me frustrated that they have prayed many times, perhaps for years and without success, for the conversion of a child, to find a good spouse, for the healing of an illness, and nothing changes.
How is a priest to respond? First, I empathize with them. They are suffering, perhaps losing hope. They feel that God doesn’t care. It is understandable.
But eventually I add that God is a loving Father who knows what is best for us and always provides this and more. After pouring out our hearts to God in humble prayer, we must trust. We trust that God hears us and has us in the palm of his hand.
Thank you again, Msgr. Rosetti. It must be difficult to pastor people who are going through major suffering and hurts. Know that you’re in my prayers and the prayers of all in the LFF. Sometimes I just ask Our Lord to guide me in how I handle life situations. I trust in God’s plan.
Bill, I will keep both you and your wife in my prayers . I took care of my Mom after a stroke at age 78 and it was at times a very challenging role for both of us. However rest assured that having you there to care for her is an irreplaceable gift. Allow yourself to feel God’s grace as the journey can be a long one. Even though it has been many years you may find comfort in a stroke support group even for yourself as her caregiver. I know our local rehabilitation hospital offered such meetings and it...
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Mary Beth, thank you for the input and support. I used to be in a Nourish for Caregivers support group but time constraints keep getting in the way of participating. I’m getting a lot of therapeutic relief from my involvement with 3Wheel Therapy. It’s been a great experience and rewarding.
Amen!
My Lord my God for it be your will not mine that you know when I need just the right thing to help through what ever it is that I need so I thank you for being there for me Amen Amen Amen ????????????
I place my trust in you. I know that you are close. Amen!
Amen!
I gave up prayer as a young teenager. I never got an answer! nothing got sorted, so I tried the alternatives, my way I can do it, quick fix techniques, listening to the voices many other “influencers”. Years later in a bit of a heap but also with a lot of experience and some maturity I figured when all else fails why not try the impossible. Patience not being one of my virtues, I thought maybe I was a little hasty throwing prayer out the window. So I began to pray about things and gave it time, I learned not...
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Oh boy does this devotion hit me between the eyes today. In two months, it will be the 12th anniversary of my wife’s stroke. I have prayed early on for recovery of her deficits and while there was some improvement, this past year I have noticed a decline in mobility. I have seen other stroke survivors who are able to walk (with assistance of a cane or walker or other device) yet my wife is attached to a wheelchair and I see no signs that will ever change. I have given up on the hope of some miraculous healing and...
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Bill, I will be praying for you and your wife. You are such a good person to your wife and I'm sure God hears your prayers and is watching over you. You have a lot of support from this group of wonderful people. May God bless you.
Including you and your wife in my prayers, Bill. It is good that you have friends in your LAM for support. We also have a ministry at our church for similar situations. We meet once a month to relax and learn to take care of ourselves, also. Bill L.
Bill I will pray for you right now and this afternoon at adoration. Your testimony has filled me with good feelings about your faith and love for your wife. Ken
Bill, may the Lord continue to be with you and your wife, helping you both and lifting you up. Blessings on this beautiful day.
Bill S...Thank you for sharing your heart with us. Praying for you and your wife to feel God's comfort and presence. God Bless.
Thank you for sharing, Bill ✝️ It makes me think of my own sanctification ✝️ In the Bible, sanctification is the process by which believers are progressively set apart for God's purposes, becoming more like Christ in their thoughts, desires, and actions. ✝️ The word "sanctification" literally means "to make holy" or "to set apart for special use or purpose!” ❤️
Dear Bill, thank you for sharing you and your wife’s life story after her stroke. You two must have a love so strong that reflects how you face each day with renewed energy and grace to continue whatever comes your way at any moment. May Our Lord and His blessed Mother be with you and your wife to help carry your challenges with dignity and calm. Many prayers and love coming your way. God bless you both.
“Father, I know you love me and hear my cries. Give me the grace of placing all my trust in you.” Amen.
*** Jesus knew what it is like to have prayers not answered in Matthew 26:39a, 42a, 27:46, (Mark 14:35-36a, 39, 15:34; Luke 22:41-42a, 44), “He (Jesus) went a little farther. Then He fell with His face to the ground. He prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, take this cup of suffering away from Me.” …Jesus went away a second time. He prayed, “My Father, is it possible for this cup to be taken away?” …About three o’clock, Jesus cried out in a loud voice. He said, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” This means “My God, my God, why have you...
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Prayer is not getting God to give me what I want, but to learn to want what God wants to give me…I can find what He wants to give me in His Word ❤️✝️❤️
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Amen. :)