“1128 May 22, 1937. The heat is so intense today that it is difficult to bear. We are all thirsting for rain, and still it does not come. For several days the sky has been overcast, but there is no rain. When I looked at (35) the plants, thirsting for the rain I was moved with pity, and I decided to say the chaplet until the Lord would send us rain. Before supper, the sky covered over with clouds, and a heavy rain fell on the earth. I had been saying this prayer without interruption for three hours. And the Lord let me know that everything can be obtained by means of this prayer.”
Excerpt From: Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska. “Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul.” iBooks.
1128: This is persistence… 3 solid hours of Divine Mercy Chaplet. This is the person in the Gospel who pounds on the door of a friend relentlessly asking for bread for another. The owner finally gives in not so much because of the plea, but because of the persistence in pleading. I don’t ordinarily do that (in one sitting, so to speak) but I could, I can, I will, I hope! (I’m retired without major outside commitments and responsibilities.) Bonnie.
1128: What a metaphor for when we think our prayers are not being answered! We feel like we are in a condition of draught. But we persevere in our petitions and intercession for others, and sometimes the rain of grace comes, and sometimes not. Although from our vantage point we sometimes believe our prayers are not being answered, “I came to understand that God does not always accept our petitions for the souls we have in mind, but directs these to other souls. (621)” “For I am the Lord…. immune to orders or needs. (85)” “Act like a beggar… take as many treasures from My Heart as you can carry, for then you will please Me more… take these graces not only for yourself, but also for others. Oh, how I love those souls who have complete confidence in Me — I will do everything for them. (294)” Gene.
#1128
How can any of us not identify with her concern regarding the weather? Instead of the dryness that was her situation when she wrote this in her notebook, we appear to have the opposite, with temperatures that are anything but predictable.
To me her message of persistance in prayer & total “trust” that our prayers will be answered, maybe not always the way we want them to, but “believe” He is listening to every word we say. He is listening. To me it is very interesting that it is important that we actually pray, even though He knows all our needs. Also, I want to mention that her prayer at that time with the “chaplet” she not only was praying for Mercy but for the needs & conditions they were living under at the time. I don’t think I would have thought this had I not read this
#1128-I get the feeling that everything can be obtained by means of this prayer as long as it is God’s Will. I’m thinking of “The Lords Prayer”. We can only hope that our personal intentions are in acceptance to His Will. I do have a favorite prayer that I say when things get overpowering and I feel I am not on the right track and my prayers are being ignored.
The time may be delayed, the manner may be unexpected, but the answer is sure to come. Not a tear of sacred sorrow, not a breath of holy desire poured out to God is ever lost. But in God’s own time and way, the answer will be wafted back to you in clouds of mercy, and shower blessings on you and on those for whom you pray.
Sometimes God does say no, but understanding comes why it is the best for you.
#1128 For those of you that know me well, know that I dislike hearing or using words like “always” & “never”, plus other all inclusive words; so when St. Faustina wrote: “…everything can be obtained by means of this prayer”, my mind wonders how much of “everything” does God mean. Does this prayer give me another tool to help promote the message of Divine Mercy? How do I guard against praying only for my own self-centered interest that is not of God’s Will? For a seemingly simple reading, this reading has opened up many more questions than answers for me. Maybe -I should pray for wisdom. (not maybe! I hear you say)
God’s Love,
BB/UB/FB