Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Prayer can happen anywhere. I can hold onto my steering wheel and use it as an altar. At work, I can take a break and fold my hands over the keyboard. The place does not matter, but the fact that I pray continually is important. 

Prayer before a meal is good, but I don't want to stop there. Kneeling beside my bed at night is terrific, but what about the times in between? I want to keep my heart focused on heaven and my thoughts constantly in conversation with Jesus. These are reminders I tell myself each day.

Friday, March 15, 2013

Recently, the cardinals of the Catholic Church chose Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina to become the 266^th pope. The seventy-six-year-old had little to say to the crowd from the balcony on St. Peter’s Basilica. However, Pope Francis, a Jesuit, asked with urgency for the group to pray for him. Those assembled below him complied with silent intercession.

Like the pope, our ministers have a burning desire for their congregation to pray for them. They experience many of the same pressures as Pope Francis. Members of the clergy are expected to be good examples, savvy business managers, terrific counsellors, leaders of their staff, inspiring preachers/teachers and great at home too. As the assembled in the Vatican did, will you silently pray for your pastor?