Religion or lack thereof, serves a very strong influence in our daily lives. I sat on the steps of the Rock of the Dome and could not imagine how important this small piece of land has been to so many people for centuries whether Jewish, Christian, or Moslem. No matter what you perceive the Supreme Being to be, every religious body has one. - God, Jehova, Allah, Budda, Haile Selassie, or even Chango.
I do not imagine that just because I get on my knees and pray for it, divine intervention will help me win the lottery. However, I do believe that in times of intense hardship and personal distress prayer brings the most important element in overcoming adversity HOPE!
I have a personal interest in the friend with the brain tumor that Rick talked about. In one night she was the subject of prayers by Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, and Moslem friends. Her father is a minister and so is her brother. In fact, her entire family is filled with clergy and missionaries.
During all of this, the most impressive and wonderful words that I heard were spoken by Ricks daughter who was shift supervisor in Jackson Emergency Room. When she realized who was in the ambulance she yelled, Stand back, this is Scuba Family! Absolute drama like one would only see in the movies unfolded as skilled hands and marvelous equipment aided in diagnosis and definitive treatment. Once the body is stable, then reality sets into the mind.
The strength and hope that not only prayer, but support that the Scuba Family offered was priceless. You know them, those folks that share a common interest that you take for granted on a day to day basis. But when adversity strikes theyre there. They offer food, flowers, visits, and most important their PRAYERS. Her father, an executive in the state convention, told his colleagues, You know Jim, we in religion could learn from this Scuba Family. These folks really care for each other, they love each other. Ive never seen a group so tightly knit they are a REAL family.
You ask if prayer helps well yes it does. It offers hope and strength and the will to continue. Aside from the support of family and friends, nothing on Earth is as powerful as that.
As the old year ended and life was beginning to settle down, we didnt know what to expect or what more to ask for as the New Year dawned. Here is my prayer for that most important time:
(Whatever you choose to call the center of your faith can be substituted for Heavenly Father.}
Heavenly Father
Creator of us - and of the sea which we love that endless water that bonds us together in eternal friendship.
As I travel through life you have given me the wisdom to know that all my journeys cannot be on a trailing sea. All my skies cannot be blue.
You have also given me the insight that I have no control over the elements or of my destiny.
In the coming year please give me the courage to accept that I cannot change the wind but please grant your hand, your strength, your guidance in helping me adjust the sails.
Amen
