Prayer

The Pity Party

/ pastorpete51 / 5 Comments 
I planned a pity party at my little house today
I designed the invitations and I sent them on their way
First on the list was neighbor Rick and his wife and children too
But he shook his head and said "No thanks." I have so much to do

So then I called my sister
In hopes that she could come
But her voice mail came and told me
To just speak after the tone
Next I thought of pastor so I drove down to the church
But he was visiting the sick - at the Savior's work


So I went into my room alone and sulked before the Lord
"Does anybody care?" I asked
Then I heard His gentle word
"On the day that I was crucified
My closest friends all fled
And at Pilate's word was beaten
 And with thorns they crowned my head.
Between two thieves that day I died
Yet in faith one asked of me
To remember him in heaven
So I took him there you see

So in your struggle down life's road 
When you're feeling quite alone
Help someone with a heavy load
Bring them before My throne

That’s where you’ll see your Father’s face
For His goodness there is found 
 And you'll receive amazing grace
And His joy to carry home!


Pity Party by Peter Caligiuri copyright 2019 all rights reserved

God’s 911 Number

/ pastorpete51 / 1 Comment

Blessed be the Lord, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was in a besieged city. I had said in my alarm, “I am cut off from your sight.” But you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy when I cried to you for help. Psalm 31:21-22 ESV

When we lived in the inner city it was not unusual to have to dial 911 once a month. Though the reason for the call was rarely serious crime, there were many traffic accidents in front of our home, and the sound of crunching metal sent us first to the window and then to the phone. We didn’t call our pastor, our family or even our best friends, because we knew that if we dialed 911 that they would pick up the phone right away. In this Psalm, King David’s problem was that the city he was living in was being attacked by an army. Now I would say that’s a real emergency. David wasn’t just a little worried, he was scared to death, but instead of running away, he ran and dialed God’s 911 number because  he needed help and he needed it right away.

Photo by Negative Space on Pexels.com

Whether we are facing a critical health issue, a family emergency or a desperate financial situation, our assurance is that if we call on God that He will always answer. David tells us, “He heard the voice of my pleas.” and “he has shown His steadfast love!” Those two great promises were not only for David, in Bible times, they are also for us today. God still loves His people with a steadfast love and He is waiting to answer Heaven’s 911 if we will only call on Him!

Far Beyond and Infinitely More

/ pastorpete51 / 8 Comments

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:30 NLT

This morning I just wanted to express my overflowing gratitude for God and for you who have prayed for our nursing home outreach. Since reopening the three homes I visited pre-Covid only 2 of them have returned to somewhat normal attendance. One facility which is nice but understaffed has been so unresponsive that though I was earnestly praying for people to come I was ready to give up our meetings. Then two weeks ago God began His answer by having a sympathetic staff person get involved who brought in 8-10 people. At the time I posted here about my excitement at God’s answer but I was totally unprepared for yesterday’s amazing experience.

It began an hour before I was scheduled to come when one of the residents called my cellphone. This would normally have been my week to sing for the memory care unit but Lucy let me know they had me on the calendar for a different room. A bit confused I prepared some extra devotional newsletters to give out and loaded my things in the car.

On entering Watermark Assisted Living the lady at the desk directed me towards a meeting room on the first floor I had never seen before. In a bit of confusion I carried my guitar and music stand around a few corners till finally I walked into a room jammed with more than twenty residents and family members from every ward including my special memory care friends! So today I simply am posting to give God glory and say thank you to every one of you who have prayed, commented and encouraged me along the way. No matter how long I have been following Jesus, He never seems to run out of new ways to amaze me by his far beyond – overwhelming – and infinitely more way of answering prayer!