GOD - HEALING AND MIRACLES - 4 - WHO TO ASK

GOD - HEALING AND MIRACLES - 4 - WHO TO ASK

INTERCESSORS

The need for an intercessor is a natural part of our individual developmental history.  Our parents arrange things for us when we are young.  Unfortunately, some of us never become independent.  In church we learn about a God so supreme, yet invisible to us, we may think we need someone that speaks his language and is on intimate terms with him and thus has the opportunity to submit our requests.  We often turn to some of those listed below to do so, although we can, and maybe should, go directly to the source.

Family and friends

Those closest to us probably already know about our problems and needs, already are concerned for us, and may already be praying for us.  Praying with them may be a step ahead of the problem because, as Jesus said, “where two or more are gathered in my name, there am I also.”

Saints and Holy People

Saints are known intercessors as they are recognized today.  Like Mother Theresa, who completed the process of official recognition with canonization September 4, 2016 after investigation and acceptance of the second miracle, and a first one earlier needed for beatification, there are undoubtedly other instances of miracles to her credit. 

Holy people you know personally may be effective intercessors.  Historically, there seems to be one or more Saints for every need.  I think that there are so many people beseeching the Blessed Mother of Jesus with remarkable success that I came up with the thought that there were too many for her personal attention (although I have no idea what Saints in Heaven are capable of doing personally); it seemed logical that God was listening in (he knows all of us and our inmost thoughts) and grants things to us to show his love for us and for the intercessor we have chosen.  That was perhaps in my subconscious when I brought St. Ann, the grandmother of Jesus, in as my go to Saint when asking for miracles.  Grandmothers have a special place in the hearts of children, so how could Jesus refuse her request or intercession?  I still ask Jesus to show his love for his parents and grandmother, as well as my parents and many others in heaven as well as for family and friends there.

If you give something to charitable organizations, they often share your address with other similar organizations.  The pleas for money are often accompanied with requests for your prayers and monetary contributions and the promise that you will be included in their prayers.  They have honed their appeals to touch your heartstrings, and I suspect the most extreme or effective ones are prepared by hired consultants that will do the job regardless of the merits of the organization.  I am inclined to limit my responses to ones I know are effectively pursuing the designated charitable cause.  Scams can often follow natural disasters faster than reputable charities in making their requests.

If you give to a fake charity it is possible God will reward you for your good intentions.  I am sure he will reward you for your good intention even more so when it is a legitimate charity.

THE SOURCE

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

God is the source of all good, the Creator of the world and all that is in it.  God is the lover of his creation including each of us.  God demonstrated his exceptional love for us by becoming human for us and redeeming us by his suffering for us, all things foretold in the Old Testament.  He is with us always inspiring and guiding us via his Holy Spirit if we are willing to listen.  As the world goes on, with outcomes resembling the chance events we consider are explanations of the course of worldly events, God is willing to make special concession to his ultimate creative result on planet earth; we can ignore similar possible events on billions of other planets in the universe.

So, as the one that made the rules governing the universe, God is the one that can ultimately insert miraculous events without disrupting the creation he made.  Don’t worry about it.  God knew it would happen over twelve billion years ago when he created the universe.  As the ultimate spiritual being, God is outside of time by our perspective, eternally aware of the whole scope of time.

Ask away.  And grow closer to God (from your point of view).

Joe Engemann     Kalamazoo, Michigan     September 10, 2016

GOD - HEALING AND MIRACLES - 5 - HOW TO ASK

GOD / HEALING AND MIRACLES / 5 - HOW TO ASK 

Humility not defiance

It is certainly easier to ask God for help when you believe he exists.  Mouthing words that are not believed is not going to fool God.  There is nothing you can do that will.  If things like that don’t work, child-like defiance won’t either, even though Jesus said “let the little children come to me”.  The biblical “fear of the Lord” that is recommended for our attitude was more “give God the deserved respect”.

Realize there is no way you can bribe or threaten God to get your favor answered.  Realize God will do what is best for you.  Realize God is waiting for your request, if it comes from an intercessor or group praying for you, it may be granted quicker if humility due to asking others accompanies your request.  The more you fill your life with good works and actions showing (to yourself) your love for others, the more God will likewise treat you.  For the busy mother the attention and love given her family is worth more than joining a dozen organizations doing good work.  Regardless of our vocation in life, the “Golden Rule” is a practical guide to ethical conduct pleasing to God.

Sincerely and repeatedly

When you are desperate, sincerity is not likely to be missing.  When you are not desperate, frivolous requests should be self-evident.  If you keep asking, it is probably not a trivial request.  If it is important, keep asking; I think that is clear from the parable about the man knocking on his friend’s door at night after it had been locked.  Repeated requests may evolve into a request more likely to be granted.

Can you think of how a granted request would make you a better person?  Maybe you can include that improvement as part of the request.  You certainly shouldn’t want your request granted if it would be detrimental to you or others.

Joseph Engemann     Kalamazoo, Michigan     September 9, 2016

GOD - HEALING AND MIRACLES - 6 - SAYING THANK YOU

HEALING AND MIRACLES / 6 – SAYING THANK YOU

“Thank you Lord” may not be part of your vocabulary.  Even when it is, if you are like me, it may be seldom said.  I wonder, if I had said it more frequently in the past, would I have the need to make requests for help.  From things I have read, some in scripture, I think God is pleased to have us make frequent requests.  Most of us, when free of depression, have many things we should thank our Creator for – life, family, friends, health, home, freedom, and country.  But life being what it is, we all will have things we think need attention or improvement.  There are many things we may want beyond healing or miracles that are worth asking for divine help to attain, so whether you need a parking spot, a better job, or improvement in a relationship, it is a good idea to enlist God’s help.

For past help, present conditions, or prayers answered, it is never too late to say thank you.

This post will be the last of six.  I intend to post the others (5, 4, 3, 2, and 1) very soon.  This will make the six appear in proper order for those accessing this blog after a week or more.  One will be the introduction to healing and miracles, two will discuss eligibility (all are eligible), three - expectations, four – who to ask, five – how to ask, and six –  saying thank you for answered prayers.  Then I should be back to evolution topics.

To prepare yourself for the project, you might contemplate the one infinite God by considering the creation that he made and knows from the most distant reaches of the universe to the smallest subatomic particles.  Before you dissolve in panic before the infinite pure existence that made everything, realize that he knows and loves you better than you do.  Don’t worry about his creation in the many other habitable planets throughout the universe, just realize that his love for you is personal and understandable through his son, Jesus Christ.  We all share in that love.  That is reason for an enormous thank you.

Joe Engemann      Kalamazoo, Michigan      September 8, 2016