Angels Among Us

Dear Lord; First off Father, if I seem to ramble a little this morning, please forgive me.  This nasty bug that Shannon and I came down with Sunday morning has hit us so hard and so fast that I’m a bit disjointed at the moment.  However Lord, although all my body wants right now is to go back to sleep my heart cried out to speak with You about something wonderful that happened to us yesterday.

This was to be a busy weekend for us.  Friday night, we had Jonathan’s 11^th birthday party at the house and a number of his friends stayed overnight with us.  It was a bit on the crazy side with that many pre-teen boys running through the house, but everyone had a good time and we survived the onslaught.  Saturday afternoon, our boys then went to stay overnight with Aidan’s Godparents as Shannon and I had an “Adults Only” Christmas Party to attend, and it was to go quite late.  The party was lots of fun, and we got home somewhere around 2:30am Sunday morning.  Around 4:00am, both of us woke to fevers, chills, severe body aches and coughing.  This lasted throughout the rest of the night, and well into the morning.

As I mentioned, this was intended to be a busy and productive weekend for us, including Sunday.  With the hectic schedules we both have we were behind on all the typical household chores (laundry, dishes, groceries, etc.) as well as helping Jonathan with a school project due Monday and preparing a huge amount of homemade foods for Christmas gift baskets.  Sunday was set aside to be the day to get all that accomplished, and with us both in horrible shape, it was looking very unlikely most of those things would get done.  Being this was the last weekend before Christmas, this was a devastating blow to Shannon and I.

And then You intervened.

We have some friends that we’ve become quite close with over the last couple of months.  They’re good people, but have been dealing with one nightmare after another for some time now.  Their plate is more than full Lord, it’s overflowing.  And yet, when they found out that Shannon and I were down for the count, the next thing we knew the wife of the couple was at our door.

We helped as much as we could Father, but she ran the show.  She took Shannon to the grocery store, helped do the necessary cooking, did a number of loads of laundry, and even found time to help Jonathan with his project; All the while insisting that we rest and try to recuperate.  She was in every way Heaven Sent Lord, and I can’t tell You how much it meant to both of us.

Therefore Father, my prayers today are very focused.  Please bestow Your Love and Blessings on this wonderful lady and her family.  Continue to fill her heart with the Love of Christ, and give her Peace knowing that she is indeed Loved and Appreciated in so many ways.  Amen.  ~Phather Phil

The Most Important Relationship

Dear Lord; Once again Father, I want to start our Monday chat by thanking You for a lovely weekend with good friends and family.  While I probably should have spent more time sleeping and recharging for the week ahead, the time spent with those I care about greatly outweighed the need for rest.  Either way, it was a wonderful weekend and I thank You for that.

This morning Lord, I’d like to talk with You about the paradoxical effect this Season seems to bring on to some people.  With all of the emphasis on the close relationships in our lives this time of year, those people experiencing a personal loss may dwell on that emptiness and end up having adverse feelings about the Holiday in general.  Be it death, divorce, illness or physical separation causing those feelings, I’ve seen quite a few folks who are just having a difficult time embracing the love this Time of Celebration exudes.  The true shame in this really is that these people are missing the most important relationship that they have… The one with You!  Joshua 1:9 reads :

“Have not I commanded you? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be you dismayed: for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

While we all suffer from losses on this Earth at some point, if we put our focus on Your constant Presence in our lives, we are never truly alone.  What an amazing Gift that is!  Like all of Your Children at some point, I’ve been guilty of focusing my heart on mortal pains now and again.  The closer I get to You though Lord, the less time I spend with my heart in turmoil and the more thankful I become.  Please reach out Your Light to all those in pain Father, so that they may feel the Peace and Love of this Blessed time of year.  Amen.  ~Phather Phil

Inspiration for a Monday Morning

Dear Lord; Good morning Father!  To start off with, I want to Thank You for a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend with my family and friends.  It never ceases to amaze me that when I focus on the blessings in my life, how truly rich I feel.  Thank You for that.

This morning however, I’ve been having a difficult time getting motivated Lord.  Maybe it’s just the “coming down” effect following a four-day weekend, but I started the day feeling a little rough.  After a little searching for inspiration though, I found Psalm 18:32-36 :

It is God who arms me with strength
and keeps my way secure.
He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
he causes me to stand on the heights.
He trains my hands for battle;
my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
You make your saving help my shield,
and your right hand sustains me;
your help has made me great.
You provide a broad path for my feet,
so that my ankles do not give way.

I love this one… I know that no matter what Lord, You are my strength, my heart, and my salvation and you never leave my side, and this Psalm describes that perfectly for me.  While I know this week is going to be filled with personal difficulties, I can approach it knowing You’re there for me.  May everyone that’s dealing with fear, uncertainty or personal turmoil feel Your Loving Presence, and know that all Your Children are Blessed with Your Grace.  Amen.  ~Phather Phil

Prayers of Thanks for My Wife

Dear Lord; I’d like to start this morning Father, by thanking You for giving my son Aidan a wonderful birthday weekend.  Your Presence and Guidance were very apparent throughout, and he had a fantastic time with family and friends.

As you’re aware Lord, this week we’re celebrating Thanksgiving so it seemed a logical thought to spend some time each day discussing something I’m thankful for.  Therefore, I’m going to start with one of the biggest Blessings in my life; my wonderful Wife Shannon.

Shannon is an integral piece of me Lord.  I revel in our time together, yearn for her when we’re apart and truly can’t imagine not having her in my life.  She’s my best friend, my lover and an amazing mother to my children.  She’s my conscience, and my balance.  She’s the brightest star in my sky, and my safe haven when the world seems too insane to continue.  She is my Angel, and I love her with every fiber of my being.  I am truly Thankful for You bringing us together, and for the Blessings You’ve bestowed on us throughout our time as Man and Wife.  Please continue to shine Your Light on her, Bless her and Keep her in Your Gaze so she may walk in Your Grace all her life.  Amen.  ~Phather Phil

Prayers for Motivation…

Dear Lord; First off, I want to thank you for a very nice weekend.  I was Blessed to spend the bulk of my time the last two days with my Family and good Friends, and other than a serious lack of sleep, enjoyed it thoroughly.  This morning however, I’m having a serious problem finding my inner motivation.  It’s not that there’s anything specifically wrong, I’m just not focusing well on how I can make the most from this day and serve Your Path for me to the fullest.  Therefore Father, my prayers today are for inspiration.  Please fill my head and my heart with Your Presence, and guide me to conduct myself in such a way as to honor Your Blessings in all I do.  Amen.  ~Phather Phil