Early in the day, I love to water the plants. This one particular morning, I noticed a string of white beads, on the ground. Upon closer examination; it was a broken Rosary. I didn’t think too much of it, at first. I picked the broken string up and began to wonder. Where did it come from? Who dropped it? And why are these beads intriguing me? They’re only plastic and string!
These plastic beads can be purchased almost anywhere. Religious shops or church bazaars. I have lovely beads. It’s not the material of the bead; it’s the honesty of the prayer; that’s the true gem!
Now, I lead you to my blog…the prayer! And how I perceive prayer! Do prayers become broken or disconnected, like the Rosary I’m holding? No, they don’t! Especially, if they’re coming from your heart! Offer your prayer then hit the send button! There’s no formal or arranged time unless you’re attending services. My thoughts are about personal prayer and the feeling it creates in me. My time with God; some say Source. Others are in touch with the Universe!
How and when did I first experience prayer? My initial awareness of prayer was at a very tender age and at the feet of my grandparents. She in her rocker with beads; he in his hard chair, always with his Italian Bible. Me, just watching both of them as they silently asked and thanked Him for His blessings! Two old people and a young child, threaded in a web of silence! Those two were my Mustard seeds! Now, I’m old and in her rocker saying my prayers for me and mine, for you, for our confused world. Bless us with wisdom!
I wear an encased mustard seed because it reminds me of how faith works. The Seed, like Faith, needs to be watered, probably by our tears and prayer. Faith needs to be in the light to grow, like the Mustard seed. The Mustard seed has a spicy bite to it, like life. If we don’t venture forth, we’ll stagnate, decay and turn to brown dust! Our choice! Faith the shield, the outer belief and prayers, the inner source of strength.
We were married in November of 1957. In the month of June 1958, my husband and I and our friends Edie and John went to Harbor Island Beach. It was a very warm sunny day. I chose not to go into the water. They were off to the float which is out aways. I read and after a large portion of sun, I succumbed to slumber. Oh, such a great feeling! When I awoke, they had not returned. It was a long time since they had gone into the water. Finally, they came back but didn’t look too happy! So, my husband began to explain their long departure. He said, while I was diving off the raft, my wedding ring came off. We all dove in, time after time, looking, picking up the mucky bottom but to no avail. He felt bad, and so did our friends. I said all we can do is say a prayer for its return.
I know, my friend Edie, believed in prayer but the guys had a look of “what are the chances?” I engaged St. Anthony with such reverence that I think he grew tired. I called lost & found each day; no luck but they did say, come down Saturday morning. I took my husband to work and headed for the Harbor! Long story short. His ring was in a little brown envelope. I needed to give a description of the date and initials on the band! Bingo!! St. Anthony and all the prayers returned, with the tide, Larry’s ring! I was told the lady who found the ring was doing her early morning walk and I could go down and thank her! Her name was Charlotte Ide Bonner. A lovely lady who daily walked along the water’s edge. Her big toe hit this hard object and once she saw the date, she realized we were newlyweds! She was thrilled that she was the founder and that I didn’t give up hope!
I do have a marvelous treasure trove of prayers that have been answered but will leave them in storage for another time! I believe that it’s not our prayers that are broken, like these beads, but maybe we’re coming from a broken place! Maybe, I must mend what’s broken within me!
I’d like to share another little gem, I found while doing this piece. I, often turn to music for possible answers, too! I revisited a beautiful poem, Amazing Grace, which was written by John Newton in 1772. Newton was a slave trader for many years! He was also a poet and the time came when he could no longer tolerate his sins. He wrote the words Amazing Grace and it eventually was put to music. My favorite rendition is by Judy Collins who does it without orchestration and with the all-black Boys Choir of Harlem of NY, (1993)! It’s so profound that it moves you to tears. Take a listen on YouTube. After being a slave trader for years, he was compelled to write about his regrets, his sins. Tears just fall freely whenever I listen to Judy Collins rendition. There are many songs written about prayer. So, the world has many believers. Prayer has and does turn lives around! Never doubt that. It takes a heap more energy to be negative than to be positive. Do you think prayer changed John Newton’s heart?
My prayer quest took me to a different level. I decided to ask various friends of mine if they’d like to participate in an electronic prayer interview? Email and texting, mainly. From cross-sections of USA and from ages under 10 up to 100+! My question: What does prayer mean to you and why do you pray? Everybody happily answered. They were not shy about sharing.
Not all these prayers are religious but most definitely spiritual. They are down to earth, heartfelt and thankful prayers. And it’s God who knows all the wisdom of our prayers!
Joan S. from California..I pray…”To quiet the mind to see life’s blessings and give thanks for them.”
Maureen from SW Florida… “Knowing that He comes to me confirms scripture, God’s word. He never abandons us. In the Psalms we can read over and over about His constant love, this stirs gratitude in me. He Graces me to want to pray more.”
Janet G. from NY…Although Janet is distant in miles, her prayers keep us very close. Her beliefs are the lure which she uses to catch God’s Graces.
Shelley & Ralph L. and family from NY. 7.. (of various ages), under 10 thru 20…2 in their 50’s.
Shelley L…”The Lord’s prayer is the foundation for prayer–it teaches us how to pray and what to pray for. It is a telephone line to God.”
Ralph L. “Channeling God.”
Dominique L. “Safeplace.”
Rachel L. “Communication to God.”
Mark L. “Admit all your wrongs and ask Him for forgiveness and strength.”
Sal L. “Talking to God about stuff.”
Gabby H. from Ohio…age 11…loves to read her children’s Bible. Her favorites; Jesus & Paul. Gabby and I correspond by mail.
Me…my daily prayer–a lady in her 80’s-Hello God; I’m b-a-c-k-Thanks for listening to all my hair brain schemes & themes; fix our hurts, our mistakes and God, please give us and you mostly; butterfly mornings, wildflower afternoons and jasmine filled evenings…’til later; Amen!
Carmen G and Wayne my cousins, their prayers: Both a blessing to me. Wayne celebrated 100 years last 10/24/1918. He passed on 2/4/2019! Wayne always ended his day with the Maude Moore Prayer. The Eternal Mystery. Carmen carries their tradition on!
Last October Carmen gave Wayne a ‘100th’ Birthday Celebration and it was held at the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park in St. Augustine. How appropriate was that! His friends came from all over the country! Wayne lived by The Eternal Mystery.
THE ETERNAL MYSTERY NO ONE KNOWS WHAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT; BUT IF WE DID WE’D STILL SEEK IT OUT THE BECKONING FUTURE WHICH LIES HIDDEN FROM OUR IMPATIENT EYES.
LIFE IS SO SHORT, SO SWIFT ITS FLIGHT; SO QUICKLY COMES AND GOES EACH NIGHT. THOUGH MANY DREAMS IN LIFE COME TRUE, WE STILL PLAN MUCH WE CANNOT DO.
LIFE IS MUCH SIMPLER FOR THE BIRDS; GATHERING SEEDS,BUT NEVER WORDS!
IN TIMES LIKE THESE, WE WHO RECEIVE
MUST NOT CEASE PRAISE, NOR TO BELIEVE LOVE HAS THE PATIENCE TO ENDURE THE FAULTS IT SEES BUT CANNOT CURE. –MAUDE MOORE
Nancy Fraioli is a retired Benefits Asst. from Town/Village of Harrison, NY. She’s alive and well, residing in Sarasota with her daughter and family and enjoying the Floridian lifestyle daily.
Her passions are writing, reading books of philosophy, children’s stories and poetry. Her deep love is living, learning and sharing how faith, meditation, and music guide her daily life. And she loves to lunch with the ladies!