fasting, prayer, and encountering heaven
Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2009 3:33 pm
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Jelena's quote about prayer and fasting are essential for noticing heaven around us is true. I believe this with all my heart.
I returned to church slowly in June or July of 08. I went alone but prayed and fasted hoping my family would join me. Now we all attend, my son "Wondrous Dream" John made his communion encouraged by a dream that seemed to come from heaven. This is a miracle to me. The fact that my wife and teenage children are attending church is nothing short of a miracle and many rosarys prayed for this outcome.
More recently, my brother-in-law who my wife deeply loves (her big brother) was diagnosed with lung cancer and the news was poor. Death in 6 months usually with his diagnosis. And her friend at work was diagnosed with breast cancer. I began to fast and pray for them quietly. Yesterday, my brother-in-law was told they had been mistaken. He'll need surgery but he should live a long healthy life. My wifes friend's prognosis has changed to a more optomistic one. Ask and the door will be open. A day with only bread and water is a small price to pay to encounter heaven.
I don't know if this should go in the prayers answered thread, but I feel it was just as much about the fasting as the prayer. It's clear to me just how powerful the combination of the two devotions are. Thanks for listening.
Jelena's quote about prayer and fasting are essential for noticing heaven around us is true. I believe this with all my heart.
I returned to church slowly in June or July of 08. I went alone but prayed and fasted hoping my family would join me. Now we all attend, my son "Wondrous Dream" John made his communion encouraged by a dream that seemed to come from heaven. This is a miracle to me. The fact that my wife and teenage children are attending church is nothing short of a miracle and many rosarys prayed for this outcome.
More recently, my brother-in-law who my wife deeply loves (her big brother) was diagnosed with lung cancer and the news was poor. Death in 6 months usually with his diagnosis. And her friend at work was diagnosed with breast cancer. I began to fast and pray for them quietly. Yesterday, my brother-in-law was told they had been mistaken. He'll need surgery but he should live a long healthy life. My wifes friend's prognosis has changed to a more optomistic one. Ask and the door will be open. A day with only bread and water is a small price to pay to encounter heaven.
I don't know if this should go in the prayers answered thread, but I feel it was just as much about the fasting as the prayer. It's clear to me just how powerful the combination of the two devotions are. Thanks for listening.
