Stealth Prayer

"Stealth prayer. It is extremely powerful. I was on staff at a youth retreat many years ago as a part of a secret team, working behind the scenes. Part of my task was to pray for the participants throughout the entire weekend as they strove to get closer to God. I sat in this upper room, praying and working, undistracted by the actions and movement of anyone else. Because I was shut away from the action, I focused on prayer, on talking to God, on praying for God’s presence. And I felt it. This behind-closed-doors stealth prayer was seen and felt way beyond the reaches of that upper room. Prayer is about being with God, and it is really difficult to do that when you are showing others how hard you are praying, or you are distracted by the world around you." ~ Shannon Kelly

Spread It Around

"Jesus was preaching about alms, which are charitable donations, gifts given to others. In this we are reminded today that when we give a gift - whether it be money, time, a listening ear, a voice, or food - it should be about the giving and not about the recognition that may go with it. Giving is about sharing what God has given you with others. It is about taking what you have and spreading that around." ~ Shannon Kelly