Thank you so much for recommending Jesus Calling! I have had this book for years, but some from my past church in Dallas frowned on it because it is written in the 1st person tense. Thank you for making it ok for this book!!!
Ruth
on May 15, 2020 at 2:41 pm
Thank you, Fr. John. I needed the reminder that my “phone chats” with God are acceptable to him.
Margaret Beeching
on May 15, 2020 at 3:46 pm
Father John, thank you for this series. We are blessed to hear you help us through this. I look forward to each session. Prayer can be so private yet so simple. Today was perfect . You nailed it!!
Marla Teixeira
on May 15, 2020 at 4:04 pm
Great to know a short prayer is ok. I find it easier than composing my thoughts and feeling my thoughts are stiff.
Darryl Tarbell
on May 15, 2020 at 6:54 pm
Thank you Fr. John,
I had to laugh at one point when you suggested that we just say “God give me strength”. My mother used to say that….not in a prayerful way…lol. Maybe she meant it as a prayer but with 4 children it came out as a plea. I find myself praying more during this crisis as I hear friends and relatives talk about the things they are doing and I see people taking chances that are frightening. I just think of Tish and if they only knew what this can really do.
I love that this is on-line. I would like to see programs like this continue, if possible, after the pandemic is over. In person is optimal but for someone who doesn’t want to be on the go continuously this is perfect.
Love and continues prayers to Tish
Heather Devlin
on May 15, 2020 at 7:19 pm
I just finished reading “Under God” by Gary Barraclough. He wrote about the numerous miracles he received from God when he was twice paralyzed. This man now lives in The Villages. He was born and raised in western PA as an Episcopalian and said that he was taught to always end his prayers with ……..”I ask this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, your son, our Lord, who died on the cross for our sins. Amen” I was born and raised in eastern PA as an Episcopalian but I have never heard this phrase when praying. By the end of the book, I am starting to use it now too. Is this something I missed growing up in Sunday School?
Ginny Damato
on May 15, 2020 at 7:28 pm
Father John, thank you so much for today’s bible study. You clarified so many questions and thoughts that I had about praying!
Mary Ann DeSantis
on May 15, 2020 at 8:26 pm
Thank you so much for this. I have often wondered if my prayers were “too simple.” I had a grandfather who was extremely verbose when he prayed aloud. For some reason, I felt it came across as insincere — even as a child. I started my morning with your message and it was a perfect way to begin the day. I agree with the others that I’d love to see these messages continue online even after we get back to in-person meetings.
Pat Knecht
on May 15, 2020 at 8:53 pm
Thank you for doing this series. I hope these online opportunities will continue. Today’s lesson was so helpful. Just keep it simple and sincere. I have been reading Jesus Calling
for 10 years. Last Christmas my sister-in-law, Sue, gave me the copy with the scriptures
included which is wonderful.
Diana Grant
on May 15, 2020 at 9:11 pm
Thank you Father John for your recommendation of Jesus Calling. So often I seek validation that the way I am doing something is just fine. Your sharing of the personal ways in which you pray are validation for my own way of doing so. Not that, as you say, there is a right way or a wrong way but on the same track. Comfort in praying and the assurance our simple prayers are heard is freeing. So I thank you for speaking about your personal experience. Brief story – my father-in-law thought highly of his parish’s Catholic priest who shared his own love of fishing. He would liked to have said “can we fish together?” but elevated him to a position where he could not ask for that. I often think of what he might have missed because he could not share that “common ground”. So thank you.
Colleen Rutherford
on May 15, 2020 at 9:24 pm
Thank you for this series and affirming simple prayers are fine. When I wake up, one of my first prayers is simply “Thank you God for all the blessings I have been given in this life.” I have been very blessed and affirming that daily with gratitude to God is an important way for me to set the tone for my day.
Barbara Strawn
on May 15, 2020 at 9:47 pm
These sessions on prayer have been helpful. A friend just sent me Jesus Calling- excellent. I have often been uptight about saying the “right words” while praying. Thank you for reminding us it can be simple.
Does God know what’s troubling you when you sit in silence to pray and the words don’t come?
Ed
on May 15, 2020 at 11:13 pm
We also bought this book and it was very helpful.
Thank again for this series.
LaVerne Collins
on May 16, 2020 at 2:14 am
I think God is so happy to hear from us that he doesn’t care what format we use. He just wants us to talk with him.
Judy Treinen
on May 16, 2020 at 2:20 am
Thank you so much for these wonderful lessons on prayer. You have such a great way of communicating and you always keep my attention! I also love your phone call messages.And the book Jesus Calling is my favorite…………I have been reading it for years and it always has a message that I need right on that day! I have given it to many friends as gifts when they are having a time of need in their lives. I am praying for Tish often each day especially now that she gets a second negative test!
Linda Czumak
on May 16, 2020 at 2:58 pm
I, too, have “Jesus Calling” and use it along with other material. I believe God hears us when we pray from the heart. That’s what I love about prayer. We can be silent, we can ask questions, we can have a discussion. We can simply say “Jesus, I need help”. It doesn’t matter. Sometimes it’s those short prayers that draw us closer to Him, enabling us to listen for His answer. I’ve been enjoying this online series. It’s been very affirming during this chaotic time. Thank you for doing it, Fr J.
Joan Braffet
on May 16, 2020 at 3:58 pm
These weekly messages on prayer have been very good and stimulating for me. I have taken your advice and am now reading a few psalms every day.—-what wonderful “medicine “ for the soul. Thanks so much for your caring,sharing, and guidance. Hugs to you and Tish!! Joan
Father John Kelly
on May 17, 2020 at 3:42 pm
Barb,
So many times Holy Spirit blessed me with one reading I needed for one particular day. When Tish asked me to bring a few devotional books up to the hospital I made sure I brought her copy!
Father John Kelly
on May 17, 2020 at 3:43 pm
Ruth,
As I said, isn’t one of our most profound prayers: “Help!” 😇
Father John Kelly
on May 17, 2020 at 3:43 pm
Margaret,
Wow! I so appreciate the compliment. Thank you.
Fr. John+
Father John Kelly
on May 17, 2020 at 3:46 pm
Maria,
I always want to remember that my relationship with God is based on “grace”- unconditional favor. He loves us no matter what- even if we don’t think our prayers are perfect. When a pre-K student finger paints something for Mommy and Daddy, it is always beautiful. That is how God received our prayers- they are always beautiful to HIm.
Father John Kelly
on May 17, 2020 at 3:50 pm
Darryl,
Amazing the prayers for Moms with four kids!! My mother fit that category- “Lord give me patience, and give it to me right now!” I agree about the chances people take too. Out of love: wear a mask. One, out of love for yourself. We don’t want you to catch the virus. Two, out of love for others. What if you are a carrier and you don’t know it yet? I was positive for at least five days before I knew it! Probably Tish, too. But, we were going around our merry ways… :).
I will talk to the team about keeping this going. It does take time!
Father John Kelly
on May 17, 2020 at 3:51 pm
Heather,
Thank you for the book title. We had talked about this. I’ll look it up. During the pandemic I am one of the people who have helped raise Amazon’s stock value!
Father John Kelly
on May 17, 2020 at 3:53 pm
Ginny,
That is a comment I truly appreciate. My prayer life has been so meaningful during the last two months. But, putting the series together has helped clarify things for me too.
Fr. John
Father John Kelly
on May 17, 2020 at 3:54 pm
Pat,
Thank you. I will have to look for the edition Sue discovered. It will be a time saver!
Father John Kelly
on May 17, 2020 at 3:56 pm
Thank you, Diana.
I always think of myself who is just a “regular guy”m who happens to be a priest. My friends know me as another baseball fan, football fan, fisherman, gardener, dog lover, reader, cook, etc. And in love with my wife! 🙂
Father John Kelly
on May 17, 2020 at 3:58 pm
Colleen,
I don’t know if I said this, but “Thank you,” sometimes is just good enough. I do that a lot on the way to the Church- particularly when I am feeling stressed out. Man, does that help! It is a real day changer…
Father John Kelly
on May 17, 2020 at 3:58 pm
Colleen,
I don’t know if I said this, but “Thank you,” sometimes is just good enough. I do that a lot on the way to the Church- particularly when I am feeling stressed out. Man, does that help! It is a real day changer…
Father John Kelly
on May 17, 2020 at 4:00 pm
Judy,
Yes, as Sarah Young says, she has felt that God really spoke to her when it was written. I believe many of us would agree. Tish and I have given many of them away. I think you know that “Amazing Grace” has sent Tish on to rehab. We are so excited.
Father John Kelly
on May 17, 2020 at 4:02 pm
Thanks Linda,
It seems that a lot of the people watching the series have found the book to be helpful? Maybe I should buy a few copies! haha. Well, as we always say: “God is good all the time. All the time God is good.” If we open our eyes to see, even during these tough times, we will see his hand in our midst. That is for sure.
Father John Kelly
on May 17, 2020 at 4:05 pm
Joanie,
So many days God speaks to me thru the Psalms.
Just this morning! Tish moved on to rehab yesterday. The Psalm talked about the end of the storm and the renewal of life. I thought, “What?!?” Praise God. Thank you for that. There is a reason why it is called the Christian’s Prayer Book. Hey, I am feeling another Education Series coming on! 🙂
Fr. John
Thank you so much for recommending Jesus Calling! I have had this book for years, but some from my past church in Dallas frowned on it because it is written in the 1st person tense. Thank you for making it ok for this book!!!
Thank you, Fr. John. I needed the reminder that my “phone chats” with God are acceptable to him.
Father John, thank you for this series. We are blessed to hear you help us through this. I look forward to each session. Prayer can be so private yet so simple. Today was perfect . You nailed it!!
Great to know a short prayer is ok. I find it easier than composing my thoughts and feeling my thoughts are stiff.
Thank you Fr. John,
I had to laugh at one point when you suggested that we just say “God give me strength”. My mother used to say that….not in a prayerful way…lol. Maybe she meant it as a prayer but with 4 children it came out as a plea. I find myself praying more during this crisis as I hear friends and relatives talk about the things they are doing and I see people taking chances that are frightening. I just think of Tish and if they only knew what this can really do.
I love that this is on-line. I would like to see programs like this continue, if possible, after the pandemic is over. In person is optimal but for someone who doesn’t want to be on the go continuously this is perfect.
Love and continues prayers to Tish
I just finished reading “Under God” by Gary Barraclough. He wrote about the numerous miracles he received from God when he was twice paralyzed. This man now lives in The Villages. He was born and raised in western PA as an Episcopalian and said that he was taught to always end his prayers with ……..”I ask this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, your son, our Lord, who died on the cross for our sins. Amen” I was born and raised in eastern PA as an Episcopalian but I have never heard this phrase when praying. By the end of the book, I am starting to use it now too. Is this something I missed growing up in Sunday School?
Father John, thank you so much for today’s bible study. You clarified so many questions and thoughts that I had about praying!
Thank you so much for this. I have often wondered if my prayers were “too simple.” I had a grandfather who was extremely verbose when he prayed aloud. For some reason, I felt it came across as insincere — even as a child. I started my morning with your message and it was a perfect way to begin the day. I agree with the others that I’d love to see these messages continue online even after we get back to in-person meetings.
Thank you for doing this series. I hope these online opportunities will continue. Today’s lesson was so helpful. Just keep it simple and sincere. I have been reading Jesus Calling
for 10 years. Last Christmas my sister-in-law, Sue, gave me the copy with the scriptures
included which is wonderful.
Thank you Father John for your recommendation of Jesus Calling. So often I seek validation that the way I am doing something is just fine. Your sharing of the personal ways in which you pray are validation for my own way of doing so. Not that, as you say, there is a right way or a wrong way but on the same track. Comfort in praying and the assurance our simple prayers are heard is freeing. So I thank you for speaking about your personal experience. Brief story – my father-in-law thought highly of his parish’s Catholic priest who shared his own love of fishing. He would liked to have said “can we fish together?” but elevated him to a position where he could not ask for that. I often think of what he might have missed because he could not share that “common ground”. So thank you.
Thank you for this series and affirming simple prayers are fine. When I wake up, one of my first prayers is simply “Thank you God for all the blessings I have been given in this life.” I have been very blessed and affirming that daily with gratitude to God is an important way for me to set the tone for my day.
These sessions on prayer have been helpful. A friend just sent me Jesus Calling- excellent. I have often been uptight about saying the “right words” while praying. Thank you for reminding us it can be simple.
Does God know what’s troubling you when you sit in silence to pray and the words don’t come?
We also bought this book and it was very helpful.
Thank again for this series.
I think God is so happy to hear from us that he doesn’t care what format we use. He just wants us to talk with him.
Thank you so much for these wonderful lessons on prayer. You have such a great way of communicating and you always keep my attention! I also love your phone call messages.And the book Jesus Calling is my favorite…………I have been reading it for years and it always has a message that I need right on that day! I have given it to many friends as gifts when they are having a time of need in their lives. I am praying for Tish often each day especially now that she gets a second negative test!
I, too, have “Jesus Calling” and use it along with other material. I believe God hears us when we pray from the heart. That’s what I love about prayer. We can be silent, we can ask questions, we can have a discussion. We can simply say “Jesus, I need help”. It doesn’t matter. Sometimes it’s those short prayers that draw us closer to Him, enabling us to listen for His answer. I’ve been enjoying this online series. It’s been very affirming during this chaotic time. Thank you for doing it, Fr J.
These weekly messages on prayer have been very good and stimulating for me. I have taken your advice and am now reading a few psalms every day.—-what wonderful “medicine “ for the soul. Thanks so much for your caring,sharing, and guidance. Hugs to you and Tish!! Joan
Barb,
So many times Holy Spirit blessed me with one reading I needed for one particular day. When Tish asked me to bring a few devotional books up to the hospital I made sure I brought her copy!
Ruth,
As I said, isn’t one of our most profound prayers: “Help!” 😇
Margaret,
Wow! I so appreciate the compliment. Thank you.
Fr. John+
Maria,
I always want to remember that my relationship with God is based on “grace”- unconditional favor. He loves us no matter what- even if we don’t think our prayers are perfect. When a pre-K student finger paints something for Mommy and Daddy, it is always beautiful. That is how God received our prayers- they are always beautiful to HIm.
Darryl,
Amazing the prayers for Moms with four kids!! My mother fit that category- “Lord give me patience, and give it to me right now!” I agree about the chances people take too. Out of love: wear a mask. One, out of love for yourself. We don’t want you to catch the virus. Two, out of love for others. What if you are a carrier and you don’t know it yet? I was positive for at least five days before I knew it! Probably Tish, too. But, we were going around our merry ways… :).
I will talk to the team about keeping this going. It does take time!
Heather,
Thank you for the book title. We had talked about this. I’ll look it up. During the pandemic I am one of the people who have helped raise Amazon’s stock value!
Ginny,
That is a comment I truly appreciate. My prayer life has been so meaningful during the last two months. But, putting the series together has helped clarify things for me too.
Fr. John
Pat,
Thank you. I will have to look for the edition Sue discovered. It will be a time saver!
Thank you, Diana.
I always think of myself who is just a “regular guy”m who happens to be a priest. My friends know me as another baseball fan, football fan, fisherman, gardener, dog lover, reader, cook, etc. And in love with my wife! 🙂
Colleen,
I don’t know if I said this, but “Thank you,” sometimes is just good enough. I do that a lot on the way to the Church- particularly when I am feeling stressed out. Man, does that help! It is a real day changer…
Colleen,
I don’t know if I said this, but “Thank you,” sometimes is just good enough. I do that a lot on the way to the Church- particularly when I am feeling stressed out. Man, does that help! It is a real day changer…
Judy,
Yes, as Sarah Young says, she has felt that God really spoke to her when it was written. I believe many of us would agree. Tish and I have given many of them away. I think you know that “Amazing Grace” has sent Tish on to rehab. We are so excited.
Thanks Linda,
It seems that a lot of the people watching the series have found the book to be helpful? Maybe I should buy a few copies! haha. Well, as we always say: “God is good all the time. All the time God is good.” If we open our eyes to see, even during these tough times, we will see his hand in our midst. That is for sure.
Joanie,
So many days God speaks to me thru the Psalms.
Just this morning! Tish moved on to rehab yesterday. The Psalm talked about the end of the storm and the renewal of life. I thought, “What?!?” Praise God. Thank you for that. There is a reason why it is called the Christian’s Prayer Book. Hey, I am feeling another Education Series coming on! 🙂
Fr. John