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Recently I had the opportunity to speak to the staff at Keats Camp.  I shared my story and how the Holy Spirit is like a woven tapestry as he is always weaving through our lives.  I wrote some prayers to share with them and this is the last one.  

I’d like to dedicate this prayer to all the camp staff not only at Keats but all the various camps happening this summer.  May the kids have fun and especially be valued for who they are.     

Dear Father in Heaven,

As I continue to ponder on what insight or tidbit of wisdom that I can pass on, the word perseverance keeps popping into my mind.  To me it’s such an important characteristic and it is often used in the confinement of a struggle or overcoming adversity.  It’s not commonly used in a listening situation or in the context of prayer.  

One of the qualities I dearly appreciate is when people take the time to listen to me and decipher what I am saying when they don’t understand the first time.  The same principle is necessary when listening to you Lord and to your Holy Spirit.  

As we live in a fast paced society and with technology, the way our communication has become instantaneous and quickly delivered, we are making judgments without seeking the full picture.  

Just like listening to me and to you Lord, it is as crucial to take time to listen to each child, not only with our ears and eyes but also with our hearts.  That in itself requires perseverance.  That’s one of the benefits of praying more often, to train ourselves to seek your Spirit to develop patience and to keep meditating until the revelation is unmasked.  

We have the opportunity to practice listening in a sacred environment where we can afford to make mistakes and your grace will always prevail.  Being in tune with your spirit helps us to be better listeners on a human level.  

In this framework I pray that perseverance is instilled in every staff member and that they will value the journey of listening and the way that it can heal others and bring life to the spirit.

Amen.

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

Romans 5:3-5

 

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