CPR: Confident Prayer Response

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CPR: Confident Prayer Response

We all know that CPR stands for “cardiopulmonary resuscitation.”   But, just for a moment think of it as  “confident prayer response.”  Just like a trained first responder reacts to a medical emergency with CPR, so to do Christians need to response to life’s emergencies with CPR.

CPR

Recently Sister Teri Spinler and I took Emergency First Response TM CPR and AED training.    We refreshed our skills in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and learn how to use the automated external defibrillators that are now available in most public buildings.  Throughout our class time, the instructor emphasized the fact that you should not be afraid to give aid and care to someone in an emergency.  He stressed that it is better to do something than nothing, that a little help is better than none at all. That got me thinking that prayer is a bit like first aid in the midst of life’s traumas. Lately, I have been over-whelmed with what is going on in the world and in the lives of my loved ones.  I wonder what to do when I hear that my best friend’s father is suffering from both cancer and dementia or a neighbor’s baby is born too soon.  I am disheartened to learn that someone’s mother succumbed to cancer and that yet another teenager died in a car crash.  All of these things plus the news of world and national economic troubles,  devastating fires and floods, along with raging war and the threats of terrorism, can make me wonder like the prophet Habakkuk “How long, O Lord?  Why must I look at misery?”  (Heb. 1:1,3) Then the Spirit strikes me and I think of CPR, not cardiopulmonary resuscitation, but CONFIDENT PRAYER RESPONSE.  Like a well trained first responder in action, I am, through grace, inspired to turn to God with all of the “strife and clamorous discord” (Heb. 1:3) that is before me.  Confidently I can continue moving forward knowing full well that God’s vision for this world is “pressing on to fulfillment and will not disappoint.” (Heb. 2:3)  God encourages me to do my little something; to pray, to love, and to support.  After all, a little something is better than nothing.  And with my little something and God’s greatness I can trust that somehow all will be well.

“The Most High will guard you from evil, keep you safe, and watch over your life. God will protect you as you come and go, both now and forever.”  (Psalm 121:7-8)

 

 

 

Sister Lisa Maurer

Sister Lisa Maurer was born and raised in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, before entering the Monastery, Sister Lisa taught and coached in Catholic Schools within the New Ulm Diocese. Sister Lisa made her first Monastic Profession in August 2009. She currently ministers at the parishes of St. Lawrence and St. Joseph in Duluth.

Posted in Reflections, Uncategorized

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“And let them first pray together, that so they may associate in peace.”
–St. Benedict of Nursia, The Rule of Saint Benedict