Ten Years of Prayers…
I got the opportunity to get away for a few weeks this month. One of the things that was on my mind a lot over that time was the practice of prayer. It is a practice that for me has always been a pillar that new growth comes from, and also the first practice to fall when my Spirit feels down. It is a practice that means something a little different to everybody. Some grew up with silent prayers, spoken prayers, written prayers, popcorn prayers, prayers you come up with as you go, prayers that are recited, prayers to God, prayers to Saints, prayers with certain words or phrases, prayers at this time or that time or all the time. At the end of the day it is a personal matter, a matter of your own unique relationship with God.
In that time I discovered a new enjoyment of recited prayers. Prayers that have been written already and that we just read aloud. I grew up in a tradition where this type of prayer was not done. It was looked at as ingenuine and not from the heart. But I think if we only prayed when our hearts and minds and emotions were in the right place we would hardly ever pray at all. Reciting written prayers are great for just those seasons, because even when our hearts and minds are not in it, it still works on our Spirit. It does some type of invisible surgery, healing and mending us, just by taking the time for this prayer, for aligning with God’s will for even a moment. Even if our thoughts stray and our minds wander. Something is happening, even if we can’t see it.
In the same way, all of the amazing, miraculous things that have occurred at Love City over the past 10 years, have been preceded by prayer. Tens of thousands of prayers said over these buildings, over this community. Prayers from Shawn, Inga, and I. Prayers from volunteer groups. Prayers from neighbors near and far. Prayers from all over the country and all over the world. The wind in the sails. The invisible current that flowed and bubbled up into beautiful, visible things: afterschool programs, a fish fry, a community restaurant, a thrift shop, a school. Not to mention the hundreds of thousands of prayers that have been said in our Mackin and St Cecilia Campus since they were first opened in the 1800’s. Historic prayers that had their own meaningful manifestations and prepared the way for what was to come in the future.
I say this to say thank you for all of your prayers over the last 10 years. And to ask you to continue praying for us for the next 10 years. So much has been accomplished with the help of your prayers and we cannot wait to see what unfolds as we continue forward.
Ethan Essex
Mighty Oak Supplies Lists!!!
The start of the school year is here. If you would like to support through purchasing supplies, it’s not too late. You can find those lists here:
Supply Wishlist: https://a.co/4IDGPaN
Snack List: https://a.co/g4DnQYr
Merriment Online!!
If you are missing browsing our shelves, don’t fret, there are plenty of ways to browse online. To view our ebay store click here. If you want to view our larger items visit our Facebook Marketplace here. We are still accepting donations, if you would like to donate call (502) 930-9006. Check out one of this week’s featured items below.
Fish Fry Open!!!
The Fish Fry is OPEN! We look forward to seeing you so you can get your fix of fish, churched up tots, or whatever else is calling your name! We also have candy and hot chocolate today from 4-7pm.
If you are interested in volunteering or to find out more information about supplies needed please email: info@lovecityinc.org or call (502) 272-078.