Prayers for Prodigal Catholics
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THE MANTLE
Marian
Mantle Online Prayer Group Update
July 16, 2004
We Join in Prayer Under
the Mantle of the Blessed Virgin Mary
[Please send your prayer
requests to
pray@marianmantle.com
or
maryann@marianmantle.com]
++MESSAGE FROM THE COORDINATOR
++PRAYER INTENTIONS
++LETTER TO THE EDITOR
++GOD'S WORD FOR US
++WORDS OF HOPE
++WHAT'S NEW AT THE MARIAN MANTLE GROUP?
++MESSAGE
FROM THE COORDINATOR
Hi,
Everyone,
First of
all, I apologize for this update being a few days late. Along with having a
table at the women’s breakfast at our parish this weekend, I was in the middle
of painting a couple rooms in our home. Something had to be put on hold, and it
turned out to be this update. I promise not to do that too often if you will
promise to try to understand when it happens.
I received an email last
night that I want to share with you—especially those of you who wonder why it
sometimes takes so long to have a prayer answered—or perhaps you have prayed for
so long you wonder if your prayers will EVER be answered. I don’t know who
wrote this, but it seems appropriate for those of us who pray for the grace of
perseverance in prayer for our prodigal loved ones. Here it is:
[SPECIAL ORDER
I placed an order
at a fast food restaurant and paid. The cashier said, "Pull over there and park.
I’ll bring your order when it’s ready.” I was a little upset and impatient. I
thought, "How come other guys get their orders and I have to wait?" Just as I
was about to give up the cashier finally brought my order. Of course I asked,
"What took so long?"
She replied, "You wanted a special sauce, it doesn't usually
come with that sandwich so it was a special order and took a little longer."
Could this our prayers? We make our request to the Lord. Our
menu is His Word, where He has listed promise after promise. We stand before Him
and request and plead and beg. We pay, with prayer, with suffering, with
obedience, and sometimes with nothing.
Then we wait for our order. If God doesn't fill it quickly we
become upset. "I prayed to You yesterday, and You still haven't answered. I
can't wait much longer. I've seen people who have had their prayers answered
right away!”
We tap on God’s window and ask if He has forgotten our order. We become
impatient, upset, downright mad. “Lord, I've been waiting for months or years!
Where are You and why haven't you blessed me?”
And God opens the window and says, “Please park and wait a while
longer."
Do you know why you have to wait? Why it seems as though God has
not heard you or does not care? Why it seems like you have had to go through
more tears, more pains, and more struggling? Because this blessing is a Special
Blessing! This is an Overflowing, Pressed-Down, Shaken Together Blessing! It’s a
Special Order God has been putting together for you.
How many people have walked away and
missed their blessings because they did not persevere in prayer? Hang in
there. Keep on waiting. You made Special Order, now wait while God gets it
ready!]
May God bless all of us and grant us His Peace.
Peace,
MaryAnn
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PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR
July 16,
2004
[Prayer
intentions submitted to this group are shared only in the semi-weekly
email update sent to members of the online prayer group. Please keep all of us
and our prodigals in your prayers--just as we will pray for you.]
LETTERS TO
THE EDITOR
[Response by an online prayer group member to the Letter from Kansas in the
July 4 update which told of two prodigals who had returned to church and then
asked “Is this a coincidence or it possible our prayer group’s prayers could be
answered so quickly?”]
Dear
Kansas,
Is it possible? You answered your own question. You know it is. Why
the wavering? Timing? By whose measure? Ours? Perhaps because we are of this
world, it is hard to comprehend. But sometimes results can be instant.
Sometimes it can be hours - a day. Sometimes a few days. A Week. Weeks.
Months. Who knows but God? And yes, sometimes it can take years. It can also
be after we are no longer here. But is it possible? No question.
YES! Our Mother is constantly working to help and protect us. Jesus
listens!
It's natural to question as human beings. Answers can amaze and baffle us
(and even bring more questions). The key is (in the phrase) let go - and let
God. Let go of the doubt the possibility seems to be causing. There's a battle
- a spiritual one - in the question. Doubt is what the devil uses to try to
snare us. It's his only claim to any sort of victory. And Our Mother has
dominion over the devil. And since we're praying, he is trying ever harder to
question our belief. Have faith! Don't let him snare you. Trust. Trust in all
the things you pray for. Have confidence. Confidence that Our Mother
hears you. Did you not think she would answer? Isn't it great that something so
encouraging happened that can fuel us to stick to the task to the end?
The lady whose son told her he was thinking about joining the church again
is still not finished. There is still much to be done. Until action is taken,
words are just that, words. The devil may try to snare us in doubting because
just that much news seems so quick. But, so what? Like any person or family,
there are situations and circumstance we know not of. Therefore, we cannot stop
praying for the son. He too will have questions. And struggles. He will need
guidance, direction and support. We need to pray he gets it - and more.
The other lady's son will need the same. Those we pray for - as well as
ourselves - have a lot of questions. So keep praying. There is much work to be
done. And thank God! Thank him that he gives you such hope! Hope because news
of not one, but two boys are talking and thinking about what they are doing. And
one of them involves his own children - Praise God! HE is answering.
What more do you need to know?
Keep
praying - it's W O R K I N G !!!
~Sue
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GOD'S WORD FOR US
For I alone know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for good and not
for evil, plans to give you the blessing you asked for. ~Jeremiah 29:11~
Come to me, all
you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you
and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for
your soul. Matthew 11:29-20
WORDS OF
HOPE
Excerpts from the 12 Promises
given to Saint Margaret Mary for those who are devoted to the Sacred Heart of
Jesus:
Promise #2. I will give peace in their families.
Promise #3. I will console them in all their troubles.
Promise #5. I will abundantly bless all their undertakings.
Promise #6. Sinners shall find in my Heart the source and infinite ocean of
mercy.
Prayer to the Sacred Heart
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I implore that I may daily love thee more and more.
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WHAT'S NEW AT MARIAN MANTLE
PRAYER TEAM MEMBERS
If you would be
interested in being on the list of those who attend and pray or pray at home
while MaryAnn is speaking, please let us know by email or phone 913-526-8977.
We try to have at least one or two people who attend each talk and pray during
it. Of course, we are always asking people to lift Marian Mantle and its
efforts in prayer. We firmly believe it is prayer that makes this effort so
well-received and allows us to reach many who are hurting—both the prodigals and
those who love and pray for them.
NEW ON THE WEB SITE
Prayer Groups:
Now, you can find a list of prayer groups that pray for prodigals or post the
information about your prayer group on the web site.
Back issues of
The Mantle: Previous Online Prayer Group updates have been archived on the
web site. Specific prayer requests have not been posted for viewing by the
general public. The MM Group feels these are personal and should remain private
and shared only within our online group.
"SILENT STRENGTH" PRESENTATION
INFORMATION:
“Silent Strength: Has Someone You Love Left the Church?” is
scheduled to be given at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, Olathe, KS on October
11, 2004.
If you would like more information about getting this talk
scheduled in your parish, please email
maryann@marianmantle.com
NEWSLETTER
We are working on
the next issue of the Newsletter. If you have something you with to include,
please contact us.
"SILENT STRENGTH” NOW AVAILABLE
ON TAPE AND CD
The talk is now
available on tape or cd and can be ordered from the web site.
PLEASE
SHARE YOUR STORY**
--If you are seeing prayers answered, we want to hear about it.**
--Do you have a question you would like to ask the group to answer?**
**Please email
maryann@marianmantle.com
or phone 913-526-8977. If no one
answers, please leave your name and phone number and a good time to return
your call and MaryAnn will call you back as soon as possible.
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