May 26, 2005

• Knowing How to Pray

  
  

  I think nearly every aged Negro in Panama City is praying for J, the boy I've been attending in the hospital for 23 days now.  Every time I deliver Meals on Wheels, I tell the people I need a personal favor.  I tell them I want them to pray for my boy because he needs it so badly.

  
  

  I told that to a lady today, who's totally blind, and she said, "Let's pray right now.  Give me your hand."

  
  

  I gave her my hand, and she said the most beautiful prayer I think I've ever heard.  It rolled off her tongue without effort or hesitation, and it was perfect.  I wish I could have written it down so I could say it again, but I didn't have paper or pencil, and she had my hand.

  
  

  Typically, when I pray I say the traditional Catholic formula prayers.  I was taught the distinction between vocal prayer (which is what I mostly do) and mental prayer, but I was never really taught how to engage in mental prayer.  This 85-year-old lady today vocalized her mental prayer, and she did a brilliant job of it. 

  
  

  I want to be able to vocalize mental prayer like she did.  Maybe I can talk her into giving a prayer camp.  God knows I need it.

  
  

  ED

  • 11:35 pm
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