Greetings Prayer Warriors,
God bestowed gifts upon each of us for the building up of his kingdom. To mothers, he gave warm and loving hearts for their children. A good mother nurtures and guides her children raising them up in the Lord. Yet as children mature in age, they often wander from their spiritual roots, and a mother’s heart is pierced.
Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Isaiah 49:15
If your heart has been pierced, it’s beautiful to reflect on the strength and perseverance of St. Monica’s prayer life. While her pleading words to her wayward son fell on deaf ears, (he was far from the Lord and kept a mistress) her copious tears and heartfelt prayers were collected by the Lord as if beautiful pearls. God heard every word, collected every tear, and responded to her pleas with copious grace for her son.
For the Lamb who is in the center of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to springs of life-giving water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Rev 7:17
Sometimes the hardest thing is to trust the Lord when He seems slow to answer. Saint Monica waited 15 years. Yet, when the Lord answered, it was in a big way! (For those who don’t know, her son eventually repented of his ways, became a bishop, and is now SAINT Augustine!
Lord we know our weaknesses and limitations. We often lament that you don’t hear our prayers. Help us to be mindful that you don’t have a hearing problem, that you do share in our sorrow, and that you love our children even more that we do! Give us the strength to persevere in prayer. May our prayers be received as a fragrant incense before the Lord. Fortify our faith, that we may confidently be the beggar at the feet of our Lord, knowing that He will one day respond in wonderous ways beyond our imagination. Amen.
Indeed we call blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of the perseverance of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, because “the Lord is compassionate and merciful.” James 5:11
Perseverance is a holy and beautiful thing! Keep the faith, remain in prayer, and keep the faith!
Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet
United in prayer, we pump up the volume! Turn it up by passing it on!
