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
