Prologue:

This is the eighth in a series of articles that will be appearing in the Sunday bulletin over the next several weeks. These articles are designed to help our parishioners understand what stewardship is all about and guide our parishioners in supporting our parish through prayer, service, and sharing.

Chapter Eight: Making Your Home a “House of Prayer”

Is making your home a “house of prayer” seem an impossible dream? God is always present in our homes and in our lives.  You don’t need formal or fancy prayers to connect with God.  You just have to be aware of God’s presence. Use your time to find God in the ordinary and profound miracles of life…. a beautiful sunset, a silly story, a pretty flower, or the recovery of a sick friend …. any moment can be God-connected.

At the end of the day, make it a habit to relive those sacred moments. Prayerfully sit down, either alone or with your family, and ask these four little questions:

                            What do you want to praise God for today?

                            What are you sorry for today? 

                            What do you want to thank God for today?

                            What do you want to ask God to do to help someone?

End your time of meditation with a little “jingle prayer” such as: Thank you Jesus for our day, for guiding me at work and play, please bless in a special way (list people).  This simple prayer challenges us to find God right where we are, in the events and relationships of our lives.  This time of reflection shows us God’s presence in the everyday concerns of work, softball games, laundry, dishes, grocery shopping, band concerts, painful family arguments, the loss of a grandparent, teen rebellion against parents, the smile of a baby, and much, much, more.

This time of prayer can clarify our values, encourage healing and forgiving, enhance our Christian perspective, foster faith, and help us experience God’s presence in our daily routines.

(Taken from “Four Little Questions of Prayer” by Jeannie Manneman, Founder of the Elizabeth Ministry International)

We are invited to prayerfully reflect on our stewardship as an expression of our discipleship. 1 Peter 4: 10 says “As each one has received a gift, use it to serve another as good stewards of God’s varied graces.”  Consider sharing your gifts of prayer, service, and sharing with our St. Matthew community.  (To be continued next week….) [Top]