My Prayers for Your Peaceful Easter

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. ~ Francis of Assisi

On the occasion of Easter, because we can see so much pain and suffering everywhere, I wanted to share this special newsletter with you about what I have learned about prayer.

* I have learned that prayer is having a special friendship with God.
* I have learned it's much wiser to pray for strength than for lighter burdens.
* I have learned that it is much better to have a heart with no words than words with no heart.
* I have learned that when you pray, fear turns to courage.
* I have learned to pray and let God do the worrying.
* I have learned that praying is speaking with God. Meditating is listening to God.
* I have learned that sometimes the answer to a prayer is "No."
* I have learned that prayers go up and blessings come down.
* I have learned that when I pray, I'm sending God my wishes.
* I have learned that if something is too small to pray over, it's too small to worry over.
* I have learned that prayer isn't an occasional thought; it's an attitude over a lifetime.
* I have learned that prayer draws upo
God's strength when I think I have none.
* I have learned that I can always do more after praying than before.
* I have learned that I am most powerful when I'm on my knees and one with God.
* I have learned that praying isn't only a duty, but that it is my privilege to communicate with God's abundant nature.
* I have learned than when I pray, my vision gets more clear; my resolve gets more steady; my abilities become more willing; and my spirit is strengthened and sweetened.
* I have learned than sometimes my prayers don't change anything for me, but they surely do change me for everything.

I want to wish each of you the blessings of the Easter season. May the glory and the promise of this joy-filled time of year bring peace and happiness to you and those you hold dear.