Shirley Brosius

January 1, 1970

Dear Friends,

On the evening of October 2, I realized the first of the month had passed—and I hadn’t sent out my newsletter! It just slipped my mind. Then I realized I had not had my newsletter on my prayer list as I usually do. Shame on me. So I thought I would share in this newsletter why it’s important to me to pray.

Prayer reminds me of who God is and who I am. Yes, I would like to have all the answers, but I realize that I pray to an omnipotent, omniscient God. I am a speck of humanity who knows very little about the mind of God. It keeps me humble. Some challenges are just too much for me, but prayer reminds me that God is my ally. I am dependent on Him. And that relationship comforts me.

Prayer reminds me of my own responsibilities. A funny story recently circulated on the Internet about a woman who kept praying to win the lottery. Month after month she begged God to let her win because she needed rent money, car money, money for food. God finally spoke and told her please to go buy a ticket. That funny story makes a serious point. Praying makes me consider whether there is anything I can do to contribute to answering my own prayer.

Prayer helps me connect with others around the world—family, friends, missionaries, fellow church members. As I pray for them my concern builds, and I get ideas as to how I might help to answer their prayers.

Prayer settles me down in a busy world. We build “Sabbath moments” within our busy days as we pause to talk to God.

Prayer blesses my heart—literally. I am healthier if I confess my sins, practice forgiveness, make restitution where needed and express gratitude.

Prayer invites God into my world. He touches others through me if I remain open to His Spirit. We serve as channels for God to touch a hurting world.

Those are a few of the reasons why I pray. I’m sure you can add others. Our prayers need not be fancy, long or detailed. After all, God knows our needs. But they do need to be sincere and ongoing. Join me today in praying to our wonderful God.

In His love and grace,

Shirley Brosius

Upcoming Events:

October 16 - Friends of the Heart - Women's Retreat, Paxton United Methodist Church, Harrisburg, "If Our Closets Could Talk."

December 5 - Friends of the Heart – Christmas Program at The Manor at Susquehanna Village, Millersburg, “Mary: Ordinary or Extraordinary?”

February 18-20 - Friends of the Heart - Women's Retreat, First United Methodist Church, Mechanicsburg, at Asbury Retreat Center, Newville, "If Our Closets Could Talk."

March 25-27 - Friends of the Heart - Women's Retreat, Camp Swatara, Bethel, "Simple Reflections: If Our Closets Could Talk."

April 16 – Shirley speaking at Black Diamond Writers Network, Pottsville, “How to Turn Memories Into One-Page Memoirs.”

May 3, 2011 - Friends of the Heart - Mother/Daughter Banquet, Trinity Lutheran Church, Pottsville: "That Face in the Mirror: Who Do You See?:

May 6, 2011 - Friends of the Heart - Mother Daughter Banquet, St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Tower City, "Tea to Celebrate the Christian Life: At Any Age, At Any Stage.”

May 7, 2011, 6 p.m. - Friends of the Heart - Mother's Day Banquet, United Lutheran Church, Sunbury, "That Face in the Mirror: Who Do You See?"

May 21, 2011 - Friends of the Heart – Women’s Retreat, Moulton Memorial Baptist Church, Newburgh, New York, "At Any Age, At Any Stage: Celebrating the Christian Life."

If you would like contact information for any of these events, just e-mail me at sbrosius@epix.net.