Keeping our Minds Clear
When pressures mount, as they do for most of us these days, it is very important to keep our minds clear. Difficulties, especially when they portend an uncertain future, can be difficult to bear. We pray, try to trust in God, but often are afflicted by worry, anxiety, and fear.
Often we try to do the right thing, but it just does not seem like anything is changing. If we try to keep the anxiety within ourselves, sometimes we find that it just seems to grow and grow no matter how often we pray. Sometimes we start questioning what we did to deserve the hardship. Other times the thought creeps in that God is not taking care of us anymore.
There are ways to deal with this. First of all, don’t keep your worries to yourself. Share them with someone else. The thing is, share them with someone who can do more than commiserate with you. You need to find someone who understands how the problems are affecting you, and give you support as you deal with them.
Sometimes people come to me with problems that I am powerless to do anything about. Some problems just have to be worked through, they do not go away by themselves. But I know that God is not powerless, and if all I can do is pray with and for the person, that is what I do.
Make sure the people you rely on pray for you too. And don’t be afraid to pray with someone when they come to you. It is a very powerful way to invoke God’s assurance, help, and ultimately His healing.
I find that in all cases when I pray with someone in trouble, they reconnect with God somehow. God is very merciful and the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him, the Bible says. Sometime an answer comes along, other times the reconnection gives the person a deep assurance from which they draw strength, and which is able to make the anxiety and fear go away.
I have some friends with whom I share a kind of prayer chain. Whenever someone needs prayer, we text each other with the words “prayers please” or “please pray for so and so (name).” That is all the text says. And our promise is that we will stop what we are doing at the first opportunity and say a quick prayer for that person.
It’s easy and convenient and doesn’t require a phone call yet the prayers still get prayed, and it has effect (sometimes immediate) in the person’s life. Maybe we can do that among ourselves too.
Prayer is very powerful. The prayers of two or more are even more powerful. When the hardships threaten to overcome you and your thoughts are filled with anxiety and fear, make sure to reach out. In fact, reach out before that happens. You will find that prayer is the most powerful antidote to anxiety and fear because it fosters trust and faith in God who gives us assurance.
If you need someone else’s help to find that help from God, that’s fine. All of us do.
St. Peter Rummage Sale
Hang on to those treasures sitting out in the garage! St. Peter’s is holding its annual rummage sale.
When?
Saturday 10am – 4pm on October 13, 20, and 27.
Sunday 12pm – 3pm on October 14 and 21.
Where?
The Sunshine Shopping Center, about 1/2 mile east of 41 on Bonita Beach Road on the north side of the street (get map).
The space will be near Zorba’s Restaurant. Look for the signs.
Where do I bring my treasures?
We would be grateful if you could drop off your treasures on Friday, October 12.
If you have treasures but can’t get there, please call Mary Copeland at 239-498-1331, or Mary Jarvis at 239-263-9292.
Can I help?
You sure can. In fact we are grateful for any help we can get. Sign up sheets are available every Sunday or give either one of our two Mary’s a call.
Sunday Scripture Readings
Epistle
II Corinthians 9:6-11 (18th Sunday after Pentecost)
BRETHREN, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work.
As it is written, “He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures for ever.” He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your resources and increase the harvest of your righteousness.
You will be enriched in every way for great generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.
Gospel
Luke 7:11-16 (3rd Sunday of Luke)
The next day Jesus went to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. As he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; and a large crowd from the city was with him.
And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her “Do not weep.”
And he came and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you arise.” And the dead man sat up and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother.
Fear seized them all; and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!”