The prayer that never fails...
Jan Karon is a good friend of mine, at least I feel like she is. I have just finished the last book in her Mitford series, Light From Heaven. I began to read this series because I heard that her portrait of the small town Episcopal priest had inspired pastors in their work. And Father Tim does just that for me. I love him! The fictional town of Mitford, NC is inspired by Karon's hometown of Blowing Rock, NC.
The author was a successful advertising executive who quit her job in the prime of her career to finally write her novel. And then, thanks be to God, the first book At Home In Mitford lead to the most charming series of books. She's sort of a Southern, Episcopalian, female Garrison Keillor.
Throughout the books she often refers to praying "the prayer that never fails" whenever Father Tim or someone close to him is facing a seemingly insurmountable situation. When I first heard the reference, I was desperate to know--What is this prayer??? Then a few chapters later she lets us know that it is this: Thy will be done. I have been praying that a lot the last few days.
Our church is looking ahead to some good changes because of growth and health, but change is never easy, especially for the flock. I am praying for my pastor that he would have wisdom and discernment and would know how to lead us through these changes. And I am praying the prayer that never fails.
I also pray this prayer when I am overwhelmed by deadlines, heartsick at someone's pain, frightened of where things are going, or desperate for someone I love to know the love of Jesus in a real and personal way. Thy will be done, Father God, according to your mercy as demonstrated by the Lord Jesus Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
What situation in your life today needs the prayer that never fails?
posted by MicahGirl at 8:00 AM
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6 Comments:
Please, I need to contact you. I'm a 51 year old woman (girl) and need God in my life, and wondering about the importance of Jesus Christ. I'm reading Jan Karon's "Out to Canaan" and also was desperate to know The Prayer that Never Fails, and I came to your site. May I contact you. My email is barob2000@yahoo.com. Have you seen the TV show "Saving Grace"?
I've sent you a personal email.
I just googled "the prayer that never fails" and there you were
Thank you Thy will be done indeed God give me the grace to see what your will is.
Wow, also found you via google "prayer that never fails." I knew it but couldn't remember the exact wording. God bless!
MicahGirl,
I am so with you about the prayer that never fails. Father Tim has so inspired me and I often feel like I'm right there in Mitford with them. When I kept hearing that phrase I thought it must be thy will be done so I finally googled it and here you are. I am on the second round going through the books and just bought "In the Company of Others" Jan's latest book. My other question has been, what is the gospel side of the church? I'd love to live in a village like Mitford.
From "Pulpit" in Wikipedia: "In many Christian churches, there are 2 speakers' stands at the front of the church. Often, the 1 on the left (as viewed by the congregation) is called the pulpit. Since the Gospel lesson is often read from the pulpit, the pulpit side of the church is sometimes called the gospel side." I don't know anything else, like, who is likely to sit on which side. Maybe someone else can find that out!
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