Prayer Means Never Having to Say Goodbye

I am not just reciting theology when I remind you that there is neither time nor distance when we live and move and breathe in the Spirit.

When someone dies or moves far away, I don't have to say good-bye--just whisper hello, a different kind of hello that moves with the speed of light to brighten each heart when I think of them.

God is the great "I AM" who exists in yesterday, today and tomorrow. His Spirit mysteriously unites all of us, intimately present to each soul, all at the same time. Our whispered hello to God and each other is called prayer.

One night, while struggling to center myself in The Lord's Presence, a crazy, impulsive thought popped into my mind. Without analyzing or questioning theological implications, I asked Agnes Sanford, a wonderful, Anglican author, to pray for me. Immediately I experienced a warm, emotional embrace of love and sheer joy as I heard interiorly,

"My dear, you have my undivided attention. No one asks me to pray for them because I was a Protestant, you know!"

I laughed and laughed, in fact, I am grinning like a fool now.

I don't want to argue theology, I just want to encourage other people with the thought that there are tens, hundreds, why maybe thousands of sisters and brothers, most of whom we will never meet, who pray for us. As Saint Paul said, there is a cloud of witnesses, both living and dead, cheering us on as we journey towards the Lord. The Holy Spirit is my companion but in His Body He has gifted me with many fellow travelers.

The wonderful thing is that prayer means never having to say good-bye.