Pray, Hope and Don't Worry

It's overwhelming! I start praying for Peace to come to the places where war has broken out so violently. Pictures of the children and innocent people being bludgeoned by weapons and missiles of war. The cries of people standing up for release from terror against their race. The climate so drastically changing right before our eyes. Homeless people sleeping on the cold concrete. Starving people drinking muddy polluted water. Yes! it's overwhelming! I wring my hands and the thoughts swirl in my head. I become afraid. Then a thought releases me of my anxiety. Our beloved Padre Pio's comforting words, "pray, hope and don't worry". Immediately, I'm able to take a breath.

     Turning to despair would be easy if we didn't have a merciful God. But we do. He's listening And watching. But are our prayers "Really" sincere? Or do we just want relief of conscience so we can keep living blind to the descent of the world. Out of sight out of mind. That's how alot of people are. I don't want to be that way. I want to keep on my knees and pray with all my heart. The fact that grace is not entering us or the world is because our trust in surrender have stipulations. We pray and want the results now. But what we don't understand is that God wants it His way. He deserves that kind of prayer. That kind of intention. To pray and hope our prayer is pure enough to be heard, and then not worry, with the peace that He WILL take care of it. No one likes to see heartache or injustice. But how many times have we caused heartache or injustice? When we pass an abortion clinic do we stop to send our prayers for the salvation of those little innocent souls? Do we pass the homeless person sleeping on the cold concrete? Or do we offer them something warm to eat? Do we stop when we see a child being bullied by a gang of peers who are hurting that one just because they can? Are we wasting food that is so plentyful, that are bellies hurt after a meal? Our intentions may be good but it's the follow through that really counts. Following through with trusting God in a world so desperate for saving, will help our prayers of hope and then stop the worry that we are not being heard by our wonderful, loving God. He is here. Among us. Believe it. Even if you can't see it. Ask Him to help our eyes to see, and He will show us what to do, and then I'll bet His words to us will be, "Pray, Hope and Don't Worry".