Day of Prayer

Today we attended the Chinese church next to where my parents live. At the end of the service, the pastor noted that it was a day of prayer for the church and invited everyone to sit quietly and pray, either alone or with someone next to them. 

I snuck this photo of my 86-year old dad and 88-year old mother in prayer. The picture touched me because it reminded me that my parents have sent up many, many prayers throughout their lives.  I think those prayers have not only changed the lives of others, but they have also changed their own lives. 

My childhood and adolescent memories are rewritten time and time again as I get older and shape my recollections according to what I'm thinking about. I believe everyone's memory does that. I remember my mom praying with us before bed and during the blessing before eating. And I saw my mom kneel at her bedside and pray before getting in bed. I remember my dad praying up front at religious meetings and before meals. And I knew he prayed before taking up the scalpel at each surgery he did. But I don't remember seeing my parents actually quiet and communing with God. 

As I compare then and now, I'm certain that my memories of my parents aren't of them being nearly as mellow or deep back then as they are now.  Sure, they still have their blind spots and their human flaws, even in their late 80s, but I'm blessed just about every time I spend a few hours with them. I believe that's a function of life experience and prayer. They are humbler, deeper, more interesting and more loving than most of the people I know who do not have faith in God or admit a need for forgiveness and mercy. 

I believe that time spent in humble, personal prayer (not perfunctory, ceremonial prayer) changes people for the better. I'm thankful to have seen that modeled by my parents, and would wish a similar blessing for any child.