Well Anne, I need to confess I have prayed for you that way.

While driving, I’ve taken to waving at strangers for the least reason, such as they look interesting, or I’d like to meet them, or they’re jogging, or they’re a foreign-born taxi-driver.

3. Angie — all I can say is thank you. Each does as they can. I think we need more prayer, so I think you’ve done well.

This is such a surprise. Unexpected. I went to bed last night thinking about Stephen and Angie. I have honestly never in my life considered this possibility. I mean, I know Bill prays for me–when he prays. Maybe Sarah prays for me. My friends here pray—I pray for them, why did it neever occur to me that they prayed for me?

My visiting teacher says she prays for me but she’s just trying to get a notch in her belt by getting me to repent and by bringing the spirit into my home.

My sisters–the people for whom I keep breathing–we have a pact, to stay alive, which I resent–well, I know they pray.

But the prayer you guys speak of—that deep heartfelt concern for another–never thought they would be for me. I wonder, did someone read James’ obituary, notice his father and brother were also gone, and say a prayer for me? I’m kind of blown away by this.

Shannon, I’m such a train wreck in peoples’ lives, that your post blows me away as well.

Like I said, this is unexpected and I’m crying as I write this, wondering if those dark times have been made a bit more bearable because someone truly prayed for me. Dang, you guys. I hate to get all emotional like this.

I sometimes feel a little silly when I pray for someone instead of doing something else – calling, visiting, helping clean a house, etc., etc. But there’s so much real pain in this world affecting people I’ll never meet. In my heart, I ask God to carry them and bless, them, and I truly believe He will.

A quick story – at my work (I’m a high school counselor) there have been all kinds of nasty politics interfering with the work we’re trying to do with the students. I went privately to all my co-workers who were religious (people with jesus fish coffee cups, who had mentioned that they attended a church, etc.) and asked them to pray for me and for our school. One of my co-workers prayed with me right in my office. She said, “thank you, God, for the miracles we know you will perform”. It was a beautiful experience. I felt God’s influence smoothing out the contention over the next week. We’re going to continue to pray, welcoming God into our work.

I’m mostly a lurker and very occasional commenter. But I’ve prayed for you too, annegb.

Annegb, I do think that our global world news available bridges us as humans and allows the world events to be apart of people whatever their walk of life. Some news touching me so much but in a way that I think is more selfish because I think of how very helpless I am and what total devastation a disaster would be to me and how useless I would be to myself and others. I have an aunt who is so compassionate and feels so much pain for those who suffer. I also know someone with MS who watches news to broaden who world and mourn with those who mourn. I do care so much for you and Stephen M(ethesis) and your well-being. You are not strangers to me. I was just talking about Stephen and his family to my parents recently and about his brilliant daughters. I hope they are well and will probably stop by although I don’t think I can comment there. I also think about our mutual friend Bookslinger and hope he is doing okay. I haven’t checked today but don’t think he has been updating as frequently. Maybe he is still soaking in the great news about the temple in Indianapolis.

Well, I thank you for your support. I would think I was pretty strange if people like you didn’t treat me so decent. Well, my family treats me like I am pretty normal in so many ways although they actually interact with me and that means a lot.

I do often think how I can feel for another and their plight but it is nothing compared to if I am experiencing it. My neighbor and other elderly friends have had vision problems. When we have had concerns about my only parent who drives righ now and their vision, it effects me. My other parent can drive but does not have a car and mabye their knee would be too crippled now. I do think it is beautiful when anything softens our hearts as it is easir to become jaded to suffer that plasters the news day in and day out. Sometimes I think to much a feel to little. Well, I haven’t commented for quite a time in the ‘nacle and hope that this will stand the light of day.