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 For Catholics who care...

Prayer Partner Initiative

3/3/2016

12 Comments

 
 
“People are looking for love in all the wrong places, and they're thrilled to hear  that somebody cares for them. And that's exactly what I'm saying:  'I care for you…. Can we pray together'?”
 
Have you had the inexplicable feeling that you should be doing something…but you don’t know what?    Are you honest enough to admit  to yourself that you haven’t really made a difference in anyone’s life lately... but you’d like to? 

As Mother Teresa said:  “Not all of us can do great things.  But we can do small things with great love.”

Why not decide right now to do some small thing that will have a great effect on a person’s life:  Invite someone today to be your prayer partner. 

You can choose the day and a time to meet in a church, in a park, or even on the back deck of your home.  Create a ritual… light a candle, read a Gospel passage, or  recite the words of an inspiring Saint.  You can sing a familiar hymn together, or scribble an intention on a slip of paper and place it in the other’s hands. Try sharing your memories of what church was like for you; perhaps discuss prayer with your partner, and how each of you experiences God.  Share your triumphs and tragedies…share your time and yourself. 

But, by all means:  Don’t refuse another's invitation to pray with them.  The point is to step out of your comfort zone and do something for someone who might need your encouragement.  Someone who  desperately wants to find her way back to The Father, but does not know how to begin the journey. 

Become trusting--as a child would be-- in letting your guard down, and invite someone to join you in prayer much the same way as you would have invited another kid to come and play during recess.  No expectations.  No rules;  just a desire to be together, joyfully, as you guide each other toward God.  

So, before you leave the Church this Sunday, choose a person you think might like  to pray with you... and then go and ask.

12 Comments
Jackie white link
3/3/2016 02:41:40 pm

Reply
jackie White
3/3/2016 04:44:11 pm

Great idea, Evelyn. May the Holy Spirit be the primary mover.

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Mel
3/3/2016 06:29:36 pm

This a powerful way to touch another life and allow yours to be touched. It works wonders!

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Evelyn Augusto
3/3/2016 09:09:20 pm

Thanks Mel! Tell that to my Pastoral Council. I shared these same ideas with them and they shot them down. The Call to New Evangelization seems to be more about comfort and convenience than anything else.

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Dennis
3/13/2016 06:11:44 am

Evelyn, you encourage others to step out of their comfort zone.....I've talked to about this before with you, now I bring it up more publicly so others could consider joining. John the Baptist fasted and prayed for 40 days to prepare himself. Jesus fasted and prayed for 40 days to prepare Himself.....Evelyn, fast and pray with me for 40 days and we can end with a 24th our adoration of the eucharist.

Reply
Evelyn Augusto link
3/13/2016 11:12:45 am

Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

My blog has inspired this gentleman from Sacred Heart Parish, Stamford, NY to support my Prayer Partner Initiative in a very unique and serious way.

He has invited me to pray and fast with him. (Every day I ask Jesus to show me what he wants me to do for Him. His message came across loud and clear through Dennis' invitation.)

Please watch the blog for more details as Dennis designs this particularly personal, powerful and poignant way to worship our Lord

He has invited everyone who is called to, to join him.

Thank you,

Corinne link
4/19/2016 04:15:29 am

It sort have reminded me of my last parish . We actually had a prayer wall . People took the request off the wall (a small piece of paper ) took it home . They initialed it and brought it back . It actually was very comforting . In a way it was like pairing up .

Reply
michael
3/3/2016 09:45:12 pm

Evelyn... nicely done; you have your finger on the pulse of progress in moving people to act, not just stand back or aloof. this should help with the motivation....

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jackie white
3/4/2016 03:00:01 am

If only two people in the parish decide to partner, two people have been helped on the journey. That matters.

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Corinne
4/19/2016 04:26:45 am

Absolutely

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jackie white
3/4/2016 01:29:51 pm

I should have added this above and did not but it may be worthwhile saying it. A few years back I decided to ask someone to spend time with me here in my parish. We meet once or twice a month and have become
soul mates and do many of the things that Evelyn suggested. It helps both of us stay focused on what is important in life. I hope some of you will give it a try. It can be very rewarding. The Holy Spirit is always invited in with our prayer at the outset.

Reply
Evelyn
4/19/2016 05:29:15 am

That's a good idea...maybe we should try that at SHP. It would build community.
Thanks

Reply



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