Calvary Cemetery by WikimediaImages via Pixabay, CCO
JOIN THE WALK IN HER SANDALS LENTEN BOOK CLUB DISCUSSION
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I was in my father’s hospital room. He was asleep. He had been drifting in and out of consciousness. Each time he fell asleep, we were never sure if he would wake up again. I was in charge of making his medical decisions. I was tired, confused, overwhelmed. I knew I should pray, but my mind was racing and my thoughts were unfocused. I picked up a rosary someone had left. I had never understood why people prayed the rosary. I thought that one Hail Mary said slowly while thinking about each word must be more meaningful than all that mindless repetition. But it was that mindless repetition that I needed. As I felt the beads in my hand and formed the prayers on my lips, I could feel my mind slow down and I could begin to breathe normally. I felt much calmer. The repetition was comforting. I know that at that time God responded more to my intention to pray and my need for his presence than to my words.
Wow Elaine … “one Hail Mary said slowly … but that mindless repetition that I needed.” that line just struck such a chord in my heart. A testament to the true gift of prayer ! Thank you for sharing.
One of the greatest gifts my first bible study group brought me was the understanding that memorizing scripture is so important. It is a treasure you store in your heart in times when you need to talk to God; to have him near but words escape you. I feel that same way about the beautiful prayers of the Church!
A couple of times, when 2 of my kids were choking, after calling 911, I put my hand on top of their head and prayed, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of The Living God, have mercy on them.” I pray it 3 times or as many as times until help comes. I prayed it two weeks ago at the gym when I was sitting down at a couch at the gym. I had pulled a back muscle and I was in extreme pain. Shortly after I prayed it, a woman came up to me and asked me if I was okay. After telling her no, within seconds there was help all around me…
Theresa,
Thanks for sharing. I felt the same way you did until my brother was at war during Desert Storm. I was so afraid for him, it consumed me. He was a Marine, the first guys to go into battle. I didn’t know what I would do if he were killed, we were friends.
I was invited to a non-denominational prayer service for our troops. There was time for silent prayer, and I took out my rosary, which I always carried with me, but rarely prayed. I prayed that rosary and felt comforted, and sure that God heard my prayer and that Mary understood my pain. I also had none Catholics ask me about the rosary, so I shared what I knew, which wasn’t that much at the time.
Since then, I’ve come to understand that praying the rosary is reliving Christ’s story. It is asking for our Mother’s intercession and walking with her through the joy and pain of being Jesus’ mother and disciple. I am so thankful for the traditional prayers of our church.
Theresa, this is a beautiful prayer; one that I will keep close to my heart
When my dad was dying in 2005, we prayed the Divine Mercy Chaplet at his bedside, over and over and over until the end. It gave us comfort and peace. We were not expecting dad to die. It happened quickly, which was a blessing.
Listening to reflective spiritual songs can console me during intense times. I consider certain songs as prayerful…they have the words that I find hard to find. On My Knees-Jaci Velasquez, Breath of Heaven-Amy Grant, Lay It Down-Jaci Velasquez, Whatever You’re Doing-Sanctus Real, to name a few.