Prayers like butterflies...

Today's session of chaplain residency training included an interesting discussion about the purpose of prayer that raised a few questions in my mind. 

Are prayers like the proverbial flutters of a butterfly's wings, small movements that can produce a chain reaction resulting in some massive event?  

Is it possible that prayer is not God's primary instrument of intervention to enact changes in the natural order?  

Could it be that prayer is a tool of personal and corporate spiritual formation that causes a ripple effect: beginning within the people praying or receiving prayer, then moving outward into their actions, and ultimately producing significant changes that would not have happened "naturally"?  

Could it be that the real changes occur within human beings, the only agents of consciousness and free will who can act with intention in response to the circumstances of the material world?

If I pray for something that does not happen, is the prayer worthless?

- S.

 

Good morning...

I've been working up at the hospital a lot lately and reading this made me especially grateful that in just a few days I will finally get an uninterrupted weekend with my three monkey children...   

[Daddy and Son are watching cartoons on a Saturday morning.]

"Daddy, can we make some 'awfulls?"

"Yes, Son.  We can make some waffles."

[Later that morning.]

"Ok buddy, watch the light on the waffle maker.  When the light goes out, call to Daddy and I'll get your waffle started."

"Okay, Daddy."

[A couple of minutes later.]

 "Da light went off!  Daddy, da light went OFF!"

"Okay buddy, let's start your waffle."

[Daddy pours the mixture in the waffle maker and closes the lid.]

"Allright, let's give it a few minutes to finish cooking."

[Daddy moves to leave the kitchen.]

"Daddy!  Stay wif me!  Don't leave.  Stay wif me."

[Daddy moves back to the counter and the little boy leans his head against Daddy's chest while singing a song about trains who are happy and sad.  Daddy thanks God for mornings like this one.]

(Scene.)

I found this on my computer today and I am really glad I took the time to write it down as soon as it happened.  This is the kind of moment that can fade from my memory if I don't get it down on paper.  I really need to do a better job making a record of experiences like this one...  

- S.