  Spiritual
This week: Pray Edited by: Shannon  
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Welcome to the Spiritual Newsletter. My name is Shannon and I'm your editor this week. |
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Sometimes circumstances make it difficult to feel grateful. We're bombarded by disaster, dread, and depravity every time we turn on the television. It's easy to focus on humanity's shortcomings; we're reminded multiple times every day: women are coming out of the woodwork accusing this actor or that politician of sexual misconduct; the United States is in the throes of an opioid epidemic that claims the lives of nearly 100 Americans each and every day; twenty-six people were gunned down while attending a church service in Sutherland Springs, Texas; fifty-eight were killed and another 546 wounded when Stephen Paddock opened fire at a music festival in Las Vegas.
We're weary and mistrustful. We feel guilty for spending money on extravagant get-togethers when so many others are suffering. We search for meaning with each occurrence while hopelessness and despair set in.
Many turn to prayer during difficult times. While some politicize tragedy by saying things like "Stop praying and start legislating" (Stephen King), the faithful fall to their knees and pour their hearts out to God. Why? What good can prayer possibly do? How can words spoken in private, or not spoken at all, better the world we live in?
According to Psychology Today, "prayer makes you nicer, improves self-control, makes you more forgiving, increases trust, and offsets the negative effects of stress." (1) In addition, prayer lowers your blood pressure, helps you recover from surgery, boosts your immune system, and lengthens your life. (2)
2017 has been tough for many of us. My family has endured our fair share of misfortune this year, but I still find things to be grateful for. In fact, it's because of the heartache we've shared that I so look forward to this Thanksgiving. The pain makes such gatherings all the more meaningful and precious, and I intend to savor every moment.
I'm not a religious person, per se, by which I mean I'm not a fan of organized religion. I believe in God, and Jesus is right on in my book, but I haven't attended church since childhood and I don't spend my free time reading the Bible, which is why Sam Smith's Pray struck such a chord in me when I heard it for the first time. I listened to it over and over again, and its message is so powerful I decided to share it with you this week.
As you sit for this year's Thanksgiving feast, encourage each person in attendance to name something he or she is grateful for. Hold hands and give thanks for your time together, the bounty before you, and the blessing that is the day itself. Pray for peace. Pray for love. Pray for forgiveness. Pray for kindness. Pray for compassion. Pray for empathy. Pray for a glimmer of hope. If nothing else your efforts will result in a nicer, more trusting and forgiving world one prayer at a time.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Notes:
1. https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/more-mortal/201406/5-scientifically-support...
2. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/richard-schiffman/why-people-who-pray-are-heathie...
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I hope you enjoy this week's featured selections. I occasionally feature static items by members who are no longer with us; some have passed away while others simply aren't active members. Their absence doesn't render their work any less relevant, and if it fits the week's topic I will include it.
Thank you, and have a great week!
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The following is in response to "Roll With It, Baby" :
justsonali writes: Nice! Thank you. 
Quick-Quill  writes: Shannon I'm so sorry for what is happening to your dad and mom. Knowing the heavenly father love you and will carry you through this. Just lean on him and let him carry the heavy end. It will still hurt, but we aren't promised life without pain. It's the balance of sorrow and happiness that we have to keep in mind and have hope. Absolutely true. Thank you. 
Jeff  writes: I'm so sorry to hear about the difficulties you're going through with your father, Shannon. It's remarkable that you're willing to share so much with us and are keeping such a positive outlook on things even though they're really challenging right now. Hang in there!
 Thank you, Jeff.
ruwth  writes: Hugs and prayers... Thank you. 
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Spiritual: November 22, 2017 Issue [#8607]
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