Prayers of Thanks for Your Healing

Dear Lord; It seems almost ironic as I’ve been good and sick for the past week, but this morning I’d like to Thank You for my family’s health.

As you’re no doubt aware, we’ve suffered some very serious health issues over the years; Shannon’s multiple back surgeries and gastric bypass complications, Jonathan’s Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis nearly taking him from us and my Mother’s and Grandfather’s early deaths from cancer.  And yet, through all of that we were Blessed in many ways that weren’t necessarily apparent at the time.  Thinking back on all of those hardships in our lives, I’m now able to see true Blessings and Signs of Your Presence that have helped shape who we’ve become, and made us an even tighter family.

On the health front this year, we’ve actually done very well.  Jonathan’s disease has stayed in remission and he’s been able to be a “normal kid” for the most part.  Shannon had a brief back strain issue early in the year, but no permanent damage was incurred and she’s been fine since.  Aidan, as always, is invulnerable.  And as for me, other than a bout of Lyme disease and a couple respiratory bugs (like the one I’ve had this last week) I’ve been pretty solid.  All in all, we’ve been extremely Blessed, and I very much Thank You for that.

Therefore Father, my Prayer of Thanksgiving today is focused on the mental and physical Health of Your Children.  Please let those in need feel Your Healing Touch, and the comfort that comes from knowing Your Presence.  Let us all have the vision to see past the hardships we go through, and experience Your Grace so we may know Peace.  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

Thoughts on Prayer

Dear Lord; I love our morning correspondence.  It’s become an important part of my day, and I find that it helps me to explore my motivations and feelings, and at the same time to get closer to You.  Thank You for that.  Last night during a quiet moment, I was thinking about our daily time together and it started me contemplating about what prayer really was and about how others commune with you.

As children, the traditional “pray on your knees, eyes closed, head bowed and hands pressed together” was the de facto standard for us, and I know for many this is still the way they feel like they’re best in contact with You.  I know some who choose to sit in a quiet place, close their eyes and meditate to focus on what’s in their heart.  For many, I know that certain places can provide a more open conduit to hearing Your Voice (as I’ve mentioned before, the woods of Blackbird Forest have that significance for me).  And for a large number of people, attending regular Church Services are still their special time to hear Your Word and gain that Fellowship.

So, here’s my take on prayer Father.  First off, I believe that if I leave my Spirit open to Faith then I’m really in constant communication with You.  You know my heart, and the more my relationship with You grows, the more I feel that I’m always in Your Presence.  In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, it reads: “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”.  By allowing the Spirit to fill my heart, I leave myself open to hearing Your Voice;  That’s prayer for me.  And in writing these public emails to You Lord, I’ve found yet another conduit to focus my thoughts, hopes and prayers, while hopefully inspiring others to listen in the Stillness for Your Voice, and to better revel in Your Grace.  Amen.  ~Phather Phil

On My Son’s Birthday

Dear Lord; Eight years ago today, You Blessed me with my youngest son Aidan.  He’s a remarkable child Lord, and although he’s extremely good at driving me crazy I love him to no end, and am VERY proud of him.  Thank You for the amazing Gift that he is, and for continuing to Bless our lives by having him in them.

As I sit contemplating the last eight years, it very much comes back to the email I sent you a couple of days ago.  Becoming a father has by far changed my life and directed my path more than any other single factor.  I imagine, in a limited way my love, cares, fears and wishes for my two boys must be similar to the way You feel for all Your Children.  I realize Your Perfect Love is infinitely more robust, but when I think about how deeply my two children affect me, my mind reels at the thought of being a Father to all the people of the world.  You are indeed a Wonderous God, and an amazing Father to us all.  Amen.  ~Phather Phil

Stillness by Any Other Name…

Dear Lord; This morning Lord, I’d like to talk about Stillness.  As I’ve mentioned to You before, there are certain times and places that bring about a mental and spiritual Stillness for me that makes my commune with You so much clearer.  I know what they are for me and usually how to achieve them, but I always find it fascinating to see how others find their moments of clarity.  I was reading another Blog this morning written by a lady named Gail Brenner and came across her article called “The Art of Discovering the Spaces In-Between”.  It was quite well written and although not directed specifically at communing with You, I realized that what she was describing was exactly how my Stillness feels.

Along those same lines, I’ve been working to try and find ways to achieve Stillness outside my normal “happy places” as of late.  My life, as well as the lives of many around me, has been amazingly tumultuous over the last year, and sometimes it’s become very difficult to absorb and balance all of the negative things happening around me.  Retreating to those moments of Stillness very much helps to recharge my Spiritual Batteries, so I’ve been working to find ways throughout the day to access those lines of communication with You.  Call it Prayer, Meditation, Communing with the Universe or whatever You like, the more I can tap into those moments the closer I feel to You, and the more I can focus on Your Plan for me and Honoring Your Grace.

Please help us Heavenly Father, to find that Inner Peace and Stillness in all of us so that we may allow more of Your Love to go forth into the world.  The louder I hear You, the more I learn and the better I feel.  Amen.  ~Phather Phil