Let Us Pray
by Anne Marie Mylar
all photos submitted by A. M. Mylar
Once, while visiting a family near Clifton, NJ. I met an old gentleman. Friends were taking care of him. He is a war veteran. He is unable to take care of himself. The only thing he does all day is watch the TV that has been put on for him, but operating the remote is not something he can do either.
As I was departing from the home of my friends, I approached him. He had been positioned next to the dining table and was about to be fed, I suppose. I whispered in his ear the following: “There is still something you can do for your country.” He turned his head toward me and, with a rough but forceful voice, he responded:
“Whaaaat?”
I said, “You can pray.” He understood.
Today, it is my turn. My energy level has gone down in the last Three years, but especially since last December. My intellect is only active for a very short few hours, and the rest of the time, I am able to help with the household chores a bit, and care for my beautiful granddaughter for a bit too. So, as I remember what I told the gentleman, it is now my turn.
I have plenty of times on my lounge chair to think of Heavenly Parent and our world and pray. However, thinking is what I do more than praying. My prayer is at night prior to going to bed, sitting in a chair in front of my altar. I feel comfortable there, and I can remain there for quite some time.
However, prayer is not just something we do in front of an altar with organized words and sentences; prayer is also a state of mind and heart. I do believe that many people pray while driving, or doing the dishes, or during any other type of activities. The presence of God is always there—we simply need to recognize it and talk with our Heavenly Parent. Jesus said so, and I truly believe it.
92 years ago Men on both sides were celebrating Christmas during a small 24 hour truce on the front lines during the BATTLE OF THE BULGE.
Christmas eve 1944, they (American and German soldiers) prayed together and then they had to kill each other again, because their countries were at war with each other. A few individuals in this world have the power to declare war or peace, and all of us have to follow. What would happen if throughout the world every single soldier decided to put their weapons away and pray instead? Would the leaders kill millions of them just because they wanted peace?