prayer – Page 10 – 300 words a day

How can I start praying again?

Dear Jon: Something just hit me and I hope I don’t get struck down for saying this: I used to pray, something I used to do quietly on my own since I was a kid. But a year ago or so, I began questioning the purpose: If God has a plan for me and knows […]

by Jon Swanson

How my mom lives hope.

My mom has a disease that gradually sucks your mind away. It often helps you remember stories from the past, then disables the counter that keeps track of telling stories. I’m intrigued by the stories mom finds important to tell me each time I visit and often when we talk on the phone. She talks […]

by Jon Swanson

A litany for the last Monday in July

Leader: Our God, it’s Monday. All: Hear our prayer, O Lord. A: I’m empty, O God, as empty as the heart of the widow walking next to the coffin of her only son. Do remember her, Jesus? No options? No hope? You healed her son. Please raise my heart. All: Hear his prayer, O Lord. […]

by Paul Merrill

Where to go first

My wife has hit some challenging stuff lately. And as a result, I have too. When your little kid wanders off and you find him twenty minutes later, you get really mad at him. “Ben, I’ve told you a ton of times to never to wander off like that!” But what you really mean is, […]

by Jon Swanson

Because sometimes you can’t do two things at once.

A few weeks ago in our weekly staff meeting, our boss walked over to one of our staff members. He took a red marker and drew a line on Kelley’s arm. He said, “The artery is cut. What are you going to do.” I was sitting closest. I immediately put the palm of my hand […]