Marian Mantle Prayer Group Update For September 8, 2006

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++MESSAGE FROM THE COORDINATOR

++PRAYER INTENTIONS

++GOD'S WORD FOR US

++WORDS OF HOPE

++FYI

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++MESSAGE FROM THE COORDINATOR

PLEASE NOTE:  This update is extremely long due to the number of prayer requests.  I would like your input.  Please reply and let me know if you would prefer to receive just the link to a hidden page on the Marian Mantle website and read the update online or continue to receive this update as a text email (as it has been coming all these years). 

Please Reply with one of the following choices: 

I prefer:   1. email containing just a web site link  2. email as usual  3.  either one/don’t care

Hi, Everyone,

            I am overwhelmed by the number of prayer requests for this update.  Your prayers are needed by so many in this battle for the souls of our children and beloved prodigals.  With joy that we welcome several new members today.  We have had a couple of exciting things happen in the past week.  Last Friday Bob and I started out on our annual visit to Our Lady of Sorrows shrine in Starkenburg, MO.  This is where we began our pilgrimage to Midwestern Marian shrines in 2001.  This is where, in tears of pain and petition, we promised to return the next year either in renewed petition or in thanksgiving for our son’s return to the practice of the faith—whichever the case would be. 

            It was with great joy that we drove through the beautiful Missouri farmland in 2002 as we listened to the St. Louis Jesuits sing. As we neared the shrine that year, the song changed to “A time will come for singing, when all your tears are shed,”.  It was almost a surreal experience for ours was a jubilant return.  Our son had come home to us and to the Mass and the Sacraments!

            On this, our 6^th annual visit, we rejoiced in the birth of our new grandson and thanked God for his Catholic mother and (once more practicing) Catholic father.  We carried your petitions for your beloved prodigals with us this year and asked that God’s blessings and grace might fall on each of you, and that we all have the strength to persevere in prayer for all our prodigals.   This time as we drove the beautiful miles from I-35 to the shrine, a Robin Marks CD was playing.  As we approached the shrine, we rejoiced at the words of “Revival” and claimed it as a promise from the Lord: 

            Every child out playing by their own front door,

            Every baby laying on the bedroom floor,

            From the dreamer dreaming in a dead-end job 

            To the driver driving in the rush hour mob,

            From the preacher preaching when the well is dry 

            To the lost soul reaching for a higher high,

            From the young man reaching for his hope and dreams,

            To the widow walking through the veil of tears,

            Every man and woman, every old and young,

            Every father’s daughter, every mother’s son,

            I Feel it in my spirit.  Feel it in my bones.

            You’re gonna send revival—bring ‘em all back home!

            On the way to the shrine Johnette Benkovich’s radio program, Women of Grace, came on and she said September is dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows and invited listeners to share their thoughts about her.  Bob called and spoke with her and she invited him to give our contact information.  The response was tremendous!  We have received calls and emails every day since from people across the country who have joined in prayer with us.  We thank the Blessed Mother for giving us a special reason to celebrate her birthday today!

            Another note of God's providence, the Catholic Advance, newspaper for the Wichita Diocese, has an article today about the Hutchinson Silent Strength prayer groups.  You can read it at  http://www.cdowk.org/catholic_advance/Resources/advance090806.pdf  page 4

            May God grant each of us the perseverance of St. Monica and the unconditional love of the father of the Prodigal Son.  May the day come swiftly when we, too, are able to say “the child for whom I have prayed has come home.”

Peace,

MaryAnn

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PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR September 8, 2006

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GOD'S WORD FOR US

            He said to Simon, "Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch."  And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets." 

            And when they had done this, they enclosed a great shoal of fish. They filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.

            But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." 

And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men."  And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.   ~Luke 5

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WORDS OF HOPE

We should not bear it with bad grace if the answer to our prayer is long delayed. Rather let us because of this show great patience and resignation. For He delays for this reason: that we may offer Him a fitting occasion of honoring us through His divine providence. Whether, therefore, we receive what we ask for, or do not recieve it, let us still continue steadfast in prayer. For to fail in obtaining the desires of our heart, when God so wills it, is not worse than to receive it ; for we know not as He does, what is profitable to us.
~ St. John Chrysostom
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