Answered Prayer

Do you ever pray for the Holy Father's prayer intentions? Each month, we post them here - though I must admit, I've only been following them for about seven months. I ran across an article today that caught my attention:

The last Burundian refugees in Tanzania are preparing to return home ending a humanitarian crisis that began more than 30 years ago.

This subheading made me want to go back and take a second look at August's prayer. When we see things like this - answers to prayers we have raised, as one, with one voice, - we need to rejoice. We need to delight in Our God who listens to our prayers. At the very least, we need to pause and say thank you. Thank Lord, for hearing our prayers. Amen

This was the Holy Father's August prayer intention:

General: That public opinion may be more aware of the problem of millions of displaced persons and refugees and that concrete solutions may be found for their often tragic situation.

Answered Prayer

Surprised by Answered Prayers

I've been told a couple of times lately that I am naive in terms of my faith. I must admit that I have a simple faith. I believe that God is listening, and He cares for us far more than we can imagine.


And so, I ask Him for pretty much everything that is on my heart. One of the many things I have laid before Him is a woman I met almost two years ago.


Our children were in soccer together. As often happens, we sat beside each other on the bleachers and tried to strike up a conversation. She asked me what I do, and I told her that I write for Catholic papers and magazines. She admitted that she was a cradle Catholic but hadn't gone to Mass in many years. Before they moved to our area, they attended her husband's denomination. But since moving to the area a few years back, they simply hadn't attended anywhere.


I invited her to come back home to the Catholic Church. My own joy at being Catholic was obvious. She sighed, said her parents and siblings would probably like to see her come back, but there were commitments that sort of precluded Sunday Mass attendance. Her husband had to work on Sundays. . . probably wouldn't come with her. . . and so on.


So, we let it go. But what she didn't know is that I put it to prayer - not constantly - just when I thought of it.


And I had been thinking about it a lot lately - even though that conversation occurred almost two years ago. No reason. But just wondering - and praying.


Well, guess who I saw in the narthex after Mass a week ago? Yes, she was there. I couldn't help it. My eyes filled with tears, and I asked how she was doing. She said she was ready to come home. She didn't receive the Eucharist, she said, because she was still waiting for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.


But, it would happen, she said. And then, the girls will come in. I have to get myself in order first, she told me. Then, the girls.


Imagine my surprise at answered prayer.

Surprised by Answered Prayers