One of the things that a Contemplate does is to think about God. Consciously some of the time, hopefully- most of the time, but sub consciously- all of the time. I believe that God created and sustains all that is. I also believe that God is in all things. To me this means that God is both transcendent and immanent. God is in and with me and everything. It is my job to recognize this and act accordingly. If I don’t do this I believe that I have sinned. This brings to mind Psalm 86: “God, you are good and you forgive me. You are full of love. When I pray to you, I know you will answer me. I know that you will show me the right path to take.” It is wonderful to know that the Creator and Sustainer loves me and will put me back on the right path when I step off. Thank you for sending me your prayer requests and allowing me to pray with and for you. -Brother Paul, CAH (Prayer Chaplain). pvmccue@hotmail.com.
From the Prayer Chapalin
How often have I decided that I am the only one who knows what’s best for me! When I am like this I pray for what I want. I don’t pray for guidance or discernment but rather for my own selfish needs. Is this the way I should act when I know that I am made in the image and likeness of God? My God is not a self-centered god but a loving and giving God. When I am acting like this, I can see that I am doing something wrong. At times like this I recall Psalm 85—“Please don’t be angry with me, God, even If I did do something wrong! Please show me that you love me. I want to be happy again.” I know that I am happy when I am living in accordance with God’s will. Thank you for allowing me to pray with and for you. Please continue to send in your prayer requests. Brother Paul, CAH (Prayer chaplain). pvmccue@hotmmmail.com
From the Prayer Chaplain
When I am beset by so many troubles, worries, hurts and woes, I turn to Psalm 84. It can be paraphrased as: “Like a momma bird who has found a nest for her chicks, God, you provide a safe, warm place for me, your child.” I like the idea that God looks at me as does a caring and loving mother. So often we pray to God as “Father.” But sometimes it just feels so good to say –I love you Mom! And feel safe a secure in the nest that she has made for me. To view prior weekly comments From the Prayer Chaplain please go to the web page for the Community of Aidan and Hilda, and click on the blog. Thank you for allowing me to pray with and for you, and keep sending your prayer requests. Brother Paul, CAH (Prayer Chaplain). pvmccue@hotmail.com.
From the Prayer Chaplain
“Help me God, I am worried! Please hurry up! I know that you are strong. You are the only one that can help me.” Psalm 70. I have often been worried, some times over little things and some times over big things. But each time that I am worried, I know that my thoughts are shared by God. Whether or not my worries are real or just a figment of my imagination, I know that my reliance on the wisdom of God expressed through the action of the Holy Spirit will guide me. All that I have to do is to get out of my own way and allow the” Creator and Sustainer of all that is” to help me at the right time. Thank you for allowing me to pray with and for you. Please continue to send me your prayer requests. Brother Paul, CAH (Prayer Chaplain). pvmccue@hotmail.com
From the Prayer Chaplain
We all feel down at one time or the other. There are many reasons for this: depression, overwork, worry, sickness, stress etc. etc. It can overtake us, almost smother us and ruin our lives. Psalm 69 states this feeling most clearly: “When I am sad, it feels like I’m underwater, like I’m stuck in the mud or at the bottom of a dark hole. Pull me from this dark place, God! Save me! I need your help!” Because God is always with us, loves us and feels what we feel, we know that we do not have to deal with such problems on our own. God can help in so many ways: through companionship with friends and loved ones, medical advise, counseling, therapy, medications and of course prayer. Thank you for allowing me to pray with and for you, and continue to send me your prayer requests. Brother Paul, CAH (Prayer Chaplain). pvmccue@hotmail.com.
From the Prayer Chaplain
Praying at night, just before I sleep and thinking about all that has happened during the day, can allow me to put it all into a proper prospective. Holding those people that I have encountered, in prayer, enables me to work as a conduit of God’s great healing love. It is so good to fall asleep with prayers on my lips and in my mind. Psalm 63 says “When I lay in bed, awake after bedtime, God, I think about you. And then I feel warm and calm, like a baby bird that snuggles in its mother’s wings.” Thank you for allowing me to pray with and for you-and for sending me your prayer requests. Br. Paul, CAH (Prayer Chaplain). pvmccue@hotmail.com.
From the Pray Chaplain
None of us are perfect-especially me! But when I mess up (which is more often than I would like to), I turn to the words of Psalm 51. “When I do something wrong, forgive me, God. I want to feel like I’ve just been washed in clean water. I want to be like brand-new snow. I feel so happy when you forgive me!” Lord, Jesus, you gave us a new commandment—to love each other as you love us. I can take this to mean that when I cause harm (of whatever kind) I not only ask you for forgiveness, but also those that I have hurt. I know that your love for us is always there. Help me to be always able to feel it. Thank you for allowing me to pray with and for you. Please continue to send me your prayer requests. Brother Paul, CAH (Prayer Chaplain) pvmccue@hotmail.com
This past Sunday was “Resurrection Day.” How appropriate is Psalm 47? “Let’s clap our hands and shout with joy, because God is a great and strong king! Blow the trumpet for our king! God is king of all the earth. Let’s celebrate with songs!” In our many churches we rang bells, sang songs and shouted Alleluia, He is risen indeed-Alleluia! God the Father , by the example of the Son, through the Holy Spirit has shown us the great love that only God can give. Thank you for allowing me to pray with and for you. Please continue to send me your prayer requests. Brother Paul, CAH. (Prayer Chaplain). pvmccue@hotmail.com.
“If the ground starts to shake, if the mountains break to pieces and fall in the sea, if the waves grow big as giants, I’m not scared. God is with me. God provides a safe place for me to hide.” –Paraphrase of Psalm 46. I would change the last word of this understanding of the Psalm to “be.” I know that there have been, are now and will be difficult times in my life and that I can be worried, afraid and deeply distressed. But I also know that God has been, is now and will always “be” with me. As Good Friday approaches, we can see the most vivid picture of God’s great love for us. Christ suffered on the cross. He knew pain and hurt. When we are hurting we know that Jesus is there suffering with us and giving us His love.
From the Prayer Chaplain
When I can admit that I am in need of help and I can not do it all by myself, I know that there is a source that will provide me with all that I require. Listen to what Psalm 42 says-“A thirsty dear looks for water, for a river to drink from. I need God that way. God send me your light, show me the way to your house, high on your mountain.” The way might not be simple or easy, the climb may be difficult but I can be assured that God is with me all the way. In my prayers I am able to experience a way to knowing and being with the Lord. My prayer is this—Bless this journey to us O Lord, and may the way be chosen by you-for this is a journey with you and to you, a journey to knowing you. Please continue to send me your prayer requests and for allowing me to pray with and for you. Brother Paul, CAH. pvmccue@hotmail.com.