We are all called to pray.

Why We Need Prayer

One great reason to pray: our country is falling apart. We need help from God to resolve our differences; peace is the essential goal.  If you’re unhappy with all the political jargon that is thrown your way, you can continue pointing the blame at others; or you can take matters into your own hands through prayer. I offer this advice because slowly I’m changing my stance by praying. Nothing is accomplished by complaining. This is our season to shed light on the truth. What better way to do this is by example? Do you want to go deeper into prayer? There are several forms of prayer: for instance, praise is a powerful way to reach the heavens. We must remember that we are the salt of the earth.

Praising God

When Mike cooks, I clean  up. Sometimes it takes me an hour to tidy up the kitchen. Listening to praise music changes the chore of cleaning to worshiping God. The Alexa app has brought me so much peace in my kitchen. Sometimes I cry because the worship is so deep; at other times I dance. Being alone with God while cleaning makes the time fly.

I do not like to work out, so on my long treadmill walks I listen to praise music. Believe it or not, it takes the dread out of exercising because my mind is on God. The beauty of this is that before you know it, you have reached your daily goal. I tend to procrastinate working out, so sometimes as late as nine in the evening I jump on the treadmill.

Adoration

Another form of prayer is Adoration. Our parish offers 24-hour Adoration on the first Friday of the month. Other parishes, like St. Martin de Porres, offer perpetual Adoration. This is a huge responsibility for a parish because someone has to be assigned each hour so that the Blessed Sacrament is attended to at all times.

Adoration has brought me to a greater level of prayer. The only way that this type of prayer can be explained is it brings you closer to the throne of God. People who frequent Adoration have a greater sense of humility. Being in the presence of God helps you understand how insignificant you are. When you have mastered humility, God will use you in a powerful manner.

Petition Prayers

Another form of prayer is petition. A major part of  praying is asking God for direction, help, and healing. Do not be afraid to approach the throne of God with requests; He is waiting for us. Asking the Lord for spiritual direction comes naturally to me. I will not get involved in any ministry unless I ask God for direction.  My decision will be based on His response. Sometimes the answer is quick and is confirmed by a word from my husband or a close friend.

At times I need help with simple tasks like figuring out how to use programs on the computer or how to post with music in the background. Because technology is forever changing, it is a challenge for us Baby boomers.

One thing that is a constant is praying for my family. Each one of my immediate family members is uniquely different and the approach I take in prayer is for their special needs. Of course I pray for their protection and health, but I also pray for my grandchildren’s future helpmates. I petition on their behalf  for them to serve God to their fullest capacity. To those who have full or part-time jobs, I ask God to give them favor at work and for them to be an example of humility. You can recover much faster from failure when you have humility. I’m always including prayer against any illnesses or sudden deaths in our family.

Intercession

If you approach me and ask for prayer, I am obligated by the Lord to intercede on your behalf. The list is long, but my prayers are sincere and I will continue praying until the Lord releases me. Currently I am praying for several persons who are recovering from cancer. Some are more severe and their illness leaves them much more fragile. I’m praying for relationships in families and marriages to come to the realization that only by knowing God can their situations improve. All of our priests and pastors need to be covered in prayer.

The world is a better place because of intercessors.  We pray for our country and for the Lord to appoint God-fearing people into office. Especially for this election, we need politicians who are going to stand up for the rights of unborn  babies, for marriages to be recognized between men and women. I’m praying for all teachers to see the world through the eyes of God and to teach truth.

The Our Father

There is no better example of prayer than our Lord Jesus Christ. Our Savior taught us the first deliverance prayer, the Our Father. He prayed before his baptism (Luke 3:21-22). Jesus prayed after healing the sick (Luke 5:1-11, 15-16). He prayed before choosing His apostles (Luke 6:12-16). Our Lord prayed at the Transfiguration (Mat 17;1-3). He prayed to His Father in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22: 40-42).

Revelations

If you are in constant prayer, God will give you revelations. Sometimes they can come in a secret message in a dream or by reading the Bible. I receive revelations when I am praying for someone, either by an image or by the Word of  God. I do not take these revelations lightly because this is a special gift from God. Anyone who desires answers through prayer will be gifted with these revelations, but you must remain in a state of prayer. By that I mean never stop asking God until He gives you an answer. The Lord’s reply is going to be yes, no or wait.

My Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, I ask that this message of prayer go out to the ends of the earth. May we all fall to our knees in great humility because of Your glorious presence in our lives. Change us and draw us closer to You. We need You more than ever!

Amen.

What is a funeral?

According to Webster’s, the most trusted dictionary, a funeral is the observance held for a dead person, usually before burial or cremation.

²² And ye now therefore have sorrow; but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and no one shall take your joy from you.

We get great lessons on the deceased by the people whom they impacted. Though I did not know my cousin Peter very well, I got to know him through  the kind words of those who knew him intimately. His daughter Debbie, son John and several of his granddaughters shared beautiful memories of Peter. Then came the open mic opportunity for others to share. In the same manner of  great respect, many spoke of how Peter redirected their lives by teaching them his work ethic.

Please remind me that I do not want an open mic at my service because sometimes too many acquaintances feel that they have something important to say. This was not the case for Peter’s service; those who did speak had words  that were short and sweet.

The Lathers

My father had a great impact on the maternal side of my family. He taught my uncle Gilbert his trade of lathing; Gilbert taught my cousin Peter the same trade. Peter handed down this construction career to his two sons. Two of my brothers followed our father’s lead in the construction industry. My brother’s son, Stephen, is now running their family construction business in the Coachella Valley.

When a man understands his role as the financial head of the household, it automatically  transfers to the sons in the family. Peter’s son John spoke on how this was instilled in him. My cousin was a manly man, the type who did not put up with much.  He spoke his mind, and if you were on the receiving end, whether he was right or wrong, he stuck to his opinion.

The Great Loss

Peter and his family suffered a great loss when Peter Jr. was killed in a motorcycle accident about eight years ago.  When you lose an adult child, it changes you. You either become bitter or you accept the fact that life is not promised until you grow old.

Several cousins mentioned that Peter changed with the loss of his son. This softened his heart, and it was evident at the service. To the sweet sound of wind chimes softly filling the air, Vanessa and Angela, two of his granddaughters, spoke so lovingly of their grandfather. When Alice, Peter’s ex-wife spoke, we all knew that there was a beautiful reconciliation between them. What a testament of love to their family.

The Lopez Clan

At times it is a sacrifice to attend a funeral service. I am close to Peter’s sister Connie and her daughter Cindy, out of respect for the family, it was important that I attend. Since I am, and forever will be, the President of the Lopez Clan (an inside family antic).  I made several phone calls to inform the family of the loss.

My mother comes from a family of nine, and many of her siblings had more than five children. So to say that I have many, many cousins is an understatement.  Thanks to technology, we are closer and more informed than ever before. Needless to say I do make it a point to keep in touch with my cousins more often; it’s one of my duties as president.

I knew this was going to be a long-day adventure, and Mike had agreed to take me to the service; but when I talked to my cousin Delia, she invited me to ride with her brother Leo and her son Paul. Leo had recently purchased an older vehicle and wanted drive to El Cajon. Aside from the strangest rattling noise, the old girl held up pretty well. Twice Paul, who was the designated driver, proved how fast the car maneuvered. Thank God for seat belts!

Two More Funerals

After a short battle with cancer, my cousin Rick’s 43-year-old son Ricky passed away. We bombarded heaven for a miracle, but it was not to be. Rick is one of the cousins who I keep in contact with, and to see him and his family go through this great loss is incomprehensibly sad. There are no words of comfort to bring them any understanding at this time. I silently stand in the gap for them and continue to ask God to comfort their broken hearts. I cannot imagine the pain of their great loss.

This past Saturday, my spiritual brother and dear friend  Robert was also called home to be with the Lord. Robert was part of our Skid Row homeless outreach. He faithfully walked the mean streets of Los Angeles with me to extend a meal and prayer to those who needed love. Robert was part of our lay ministry, and for years taught Bible study classes. His ministry reached so many lost souls. He had a great impact on the lives of so many. Robert had a special gift of quoting Scripture. This came to him naturally; he was basically a talking Bible. I marvel at how he gently and powerfully ministered. I will miss you, my brother in Christ!

When people are called home, it is not only time to say good-bye but to reflect on the lives of those who we have lost. In the natural we question why God would take someone like Ricky home. He was too young, he had a life ahead of him, we say. But ultimately it is God who makes the final decision. I know that something wonderful will come of Ricky’s death.

Death affects us all in a different way. Some will experience the loss of faith, while for others it increases their faith. But it’s how we come to terms and accept that it was God’s will that we can maneuver through the darkness of the loss. If we ask God to help us through these trials, everyday our burden will become lighter.

Believing the Word of God and fully understanding that we will be together with our loved ones is part of the saving grace we share as Christians.

My Prayer

Dear Lord, comfort the hearts of all who have lost loved ones. Surround them with sweet memories and allow them to cherish their precious moments together. Amen.