Each year, on the first Thursday in May, we are called as a nation to pray. Organized by the National Day of Prayer Task Force, a non-profit organization of Evangelical Conservative Christians, believers are encouraged to pray for our country. It’s not new – this year marks the 73rd Annual Call to Prayer.
This year’s theme comes from 2 Samuel 22:29-31 “Lift up the Word – Light up the World”, which is a neatly condensed summary of scripture.
You, Lord, are my lamp;
The Lord turns my darkness into light.
With Your help I can advance against a troop
With my God I can scale a wall.
As for God, His way is perfect:
The Lord’s word is flawless;
He shields all who take refuge in Him.
Prayer is important. We all need to believe in something greater than ourselves. Prayer is nothing more than a conversation with God. For as long as I can remember, I have had conversations with God. As a Catholic, I have also had the privilege of talking with Mary. As a woman, and a mother, there are times when I find it easier to talk with a Mary. That does not mean I believe Mary to be equal to God? No! There is but one true God. Mary, as the mother of Jesus, lends a sympathetic ear. The answers are not hers. She is a strong advocate to have on yours side. Remember the wedding at Cana? Jesus told His mother it was not yet His time. Did she back away? No, she told the servants to do as He said, sure that He would act on her request. And we all know that He did, changing the water into wine, His first public miracle.
I believe people come into our lives for a reason. Sometimes we are tested. Sometimes we have a lesson to learn, or a lesson to teach. Often we learn about ourselves and our relationship to God the Father through teaching others. Remember my Diva-Bestie, Didi? She came into my life as a huge project, one that opened many doors and taught me so much. I miss her, but it was time to move on, to venture into another direction. I know that we had an impact on one another. One that won’t be finished for sometime to come.
Didi and the doors that she opened are a subject for another day – if ever. What I will confess to now is through Didi, I met a group of ladies that truly needed to hear how much God loved them, despite their chosen careers. Some were strippers, some high-end call girls, others had married purly for money. Not exactly the type of people a good Christian woman should associate with. But then again, Christ didn’t dine with the righteous, now did he?
Today, on this National Day of Prayer, let us pray that we never get so full of our own sense of Holiness that we forget we are sinners, too. In just as much need of God’s love and forgiveness as the next guy.
On a more personal note, on this National Day of Prayer I ask that you remember me in your prayers. I have been diagnosed with early Interstitial Lung Disease. It explains the cough I’ve had for a year. There is no cure, but we can slow the progression. I’m okay with that.
Slow-Cooker Italian Meatball Soup
16 oz Italian Meatballs, fresh or frozen
1 (19 oz) can Cannellini Beans, drained
2 cups Beef Stock
3/4 cup Water
1 (14 oz) can Diced Tomatoes
2 tablespoons Italian Seasoning
Salt to taste
Black Pepper to taste
1 tablespoon Minced Garlic (from a jar)
Parmesan Cheese, garnish
If using frozen meatballs, place the package in the refrigerator to thaw overnight. If using fresh meatballs, bake according to directions at 375 degrees for 15 minutes before using.
Spray a slow cooker with cooking spray, set aside.
Drain beans, place in the prepared bowl of the slow cooker. Add tomatoes, beef stock, water, and spices. Stir to blend. Add meatballs. Cover; cook on HIGH heat for 4-1/2 hours.
Ladle into bowls, garnish with Parmesan Cheese, serve with warm bread and enjoy.
Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
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