Chappy’s On Eagle’s Wings
Communication Through Prayer
by Ron Ringo
The 21st is Father’s Day and I would like to dedicate this article to all Father’s, who often quietly give so much of themselves for their families and are regularly wanting to be better at communication… Me included... The topic of prayer is one of my favorite topics to share. Prayer, for me, instantly makes me feel a bit more humble and yet at the same time hopeful. It is something that virtually all people of all different races and religions participate in, and it can be completed in so many various forms and/or fashions.
With all that is going on around the world, the economy, the bankruptcies, the bailouts, Iran and North Korea tensions, and the conflicts we still have many of our friends and loved ones involved in… I feel that this form of communication, called prayer, is by far the most effective and the most real form of expression we could develop in our lives. I have had many experiences that have personally confirmed to me, that there truly is someone listening at the other end of my conversation… one who has the power to create the opportunity for the request to happen, or bless us with an even more appropriate answer. Having these experiences has given me hope and peace when times of chaos and despair were in the wind.
I would like to share with you some thoughts on this subject, to share this blessing with you, for use in your life. In many of the 12-step recovery support group programs, they use a simple but powerful prayer called, “The Serenity Prayer”. Its words are as follows: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference”. Those who participate in these programs learn that this prayer’s simple words can assist them through some of their darkest hours. The ability to surrender oneself in prayer, acknowledging a higher power, brings the peace, strength, and wisdom they earnestly seek. They learn that a simple prayer whispered to their God, has the power to help them through the most desperate of situations.
Many have come to believe, as have I, that the desired qualities mentioned in this prayer, and more personalized prayers, can come only from a power greater than we are. The important lesson learned and discerned through using prayer is that the serenity, courage and wisdom one seeks, come from somewhere outside ourselves. It gives us the strength and ability to face another situation, another step, another day.
I once read an analogy between prayer and e-mail. It went something like this:
“E-mail refers to the correspondence that is transmitted over computer networks. Whenever one clicks the “send now” command on the computer to send it through cyberspace, we may worry, “Is my e-mail actually getting to its destination? Will someone be there to receive it? Will I get a response?” I know that I have had my frustrations around these issues on many an occasion.
“Actually you may have had some of those same questions in another realm of communication – prayer. But there are some important differences. For our e-mail to arrive, our equipment and our programs must function correctly. Prayer, on the hand, is just us talking to God, with no chance of a glitch. With e-mail, our message could sit unread for days. Not so with prayer. God is always there. Although we may never get a response to some e-mail messages, God’s answers will always come. So don’t worry if you don’t even know what e-mail is. Prayer is indescribably better. It’s our direct line of intimate communication with the Creator.”
I always enjoyed that analogy. I hope it gives you a little more insight into this special communication we call prayer, but if that didn’t, maybe this humorous poem that I did receive through e-mail will. It is entitled, “Keep In Touch”.
Jake, the rancher, went one day to fix a distant fence.
The wind was cold and gusty and the clouds rolled gray and dense.
As he pounded the last staples in and gathered tools to go.
The temperature had fallen; the wind and snow began to blow.
When he finally reached his pickup, he had a heavy heart.
From the sound of that ignition, he knew it wouldn't start.
So, Jake did what most of us would do if we'd been there.
He humbly bowed his balding head and sent aloft a prayer.
As he turned the key for the last time, he softly cursed his luck.
They found him three days later, frozen stiff in that old truck.
Now Jake had been around in life and done his share of roaming.
But when he first saw Heaven, he shrieked, "It looks just like Wyoming!"
Of all the saints in Heaven, Jake's favorite was Saint Peter.
(Now, this line ain't needed but it helps with rhyme and meter.)
So they set and talked a minute or two, or maybe it was three.
Nobody was really keepin' score -- in Heaven time is free.
"I've always heard," Jake said to Pete, "that God will answer prayer,
but, the one time I asked for help, well, he just plain wasn't there."
"Does God answer prayers of some, and ignore the prayers of others?
That don't seem exactly square -- I know all men are brothers."
"Or does he randomly reply, without good rhyme or reason?
Maybe, it's the time of day, the weather, or the season."
"Now I ain't trying to act smart, it's just the way I feel.
And I was wonderin', could you tell me -- what the heck's the deal?!"
Saint Peter listened very patiently and when Jake was done.
There was a smile of recognition, and he said, "So, you're the one!!"
"That day your truck wouldn't start and you sent your prayer a flying,
you gave us all a real hard time, with hundreds of us trying."
"A thousand angels rushed to check the status of your file,
But you know, Jake, we hadn't heard from you in quite awhile."
"And though all prayers are answered, and God ain't got no quota,
He didn't recognize your voice and started a truck in Minnesota."
However, it is written in Proverbs 8: 17, “I love them that love me; and those who seek me early shall find me”. I know He knows us, but we need to do our part and keep in touch. I pray we seek to do so more regularly than rancher Jake, and not just call on Him when we are in desperate need.
As always, it is my hope that this message will help you this week to, “mount up as on eagle’s wings”, and renew a little of your strength to keep moving forward and find joy… (Isaiah 40:31)
Until next week, may God bless you and may God continue to bless our great nation… SEMPER FI
Chaplain Ringo, is the Command Chaplain at MCRD H&S BN, holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in Counseling, and is a Certified Trauma Specialist.
Chaplain Ringo is a good friend and supporter of HealthWalk’s. We are grateful that he is working with us on our integrated total health approach to enhancing and restoring our veterans’ resilience for re-engagement and for their transition from the high operational tempo back to their families and civilian life.