The Importance of Prayer, Part Two

Grace, Moment by Moment-weekly column

This week is the holiest week on the Christian calendar, second only to the week of Christmas. So, I thought I would share another insight into the importance of prayer.

Clash of the Titans

As the soughing, icy chill wind rattles through the dry, brittle trees
the clock tower sounds the dinner hour; I freeze
my breath mists in the snow driven air
as I perceive the echo of all the saints' prayers.
Momentous and growing, the menace of Evil seethes
under the surface of present time, straining for release.
The clash of angelic and satanic powers meet
beyond the mortal ken of man; amid the sleet of Heaven's storm-tossed skies,
Michael the Archangel battles Satan, the Father of Lies.
But a moment is all that is needed
to hear God's clarion call. Heeded,
I whisper an unending litany of prayer
knowing, seeking, beseeching Father God's grace appear!
As I hurry on to eat, I wonder
was Satan's power play torn asunder?
Father God's Love infuses my being
with reassurance; I express my joy by singing,
"You are Abba, Father, Yahweh.
thank you, for being eternally My Daddy."

Written on:
November 16, 2005

Written by:
Belle Anne Leslie

May you have a blessed and joyous Easter!

By Starlight or Sunlight God's Grace Appears

Grace: Moment by Moment-weekly column

God's Lamp Post of Light
As moonlight dances on the dark water
I seek the lamp post of my Heavenly Father.
Night shadows the path I take
His is the only source of light to make
the path ahead seem clearer.
Calmness fills my very being as dawn edges nearer.
I hear music of a different kind
its the first ethereal notes no one on Earth can find,
of an angel choir singing heavenly hymns
in praise to the great I AM.
I look and see
no one notices but me.
Am I the only one they are singing to?
What is it God wants me to do?
As the path winds through the dark,
Caverns of my heart
open wide,
flooding with the blaze of the Jesus' Son Shine.
Even the recesses are swept clean
with no cobwebs of old guilt left within.
Hope and Mercy break down the only protection I've ever known;
the walls surounding my soul's home.
Peace supplants fear, rooting out the weeds of discontent
so that in this place, only good things can vent.
No matter how faith appears on the outside, looking in
one can only see Christ again.
As the last light post fades to black
I know at last God's Grace is back.
Thank you Father God, for this prayer.
May I always know You are here,
close beside me all the way.
May I be a light for You until Resurrection Day!

Written on:
October 13, 2005

Written by:
Belle Anne Leslie

An Easter Basket of Blessings

Grace: Moment by Moment-weekly column

An Easter Promise

Wounded and hurting, pain lances the depths of my soul
I wondered, would I ever again be whole?
The wounds only bled more
as I battled the bruising mind games of the dark lord.
As the thunder of guns echo the reverberations of St. Monica's bells
my mind can only handle so much grief--real
and anticipatory. How do I cope, let go, and seize life again?
Tears mix with the drumming rain
as the color guard moves into place
I question, "When innocents die, does faith?"
Who do I turn to? Which voice is clear?
When Jesus calls, His voice is harder and harder to hear.
All around
bombings and images of death surround.
Confused for a moment as lightning flashed, I froze
in the backwash the image of Christ at the garden tomb arose.
His nail-scarred hands spread wide
and with Love shining from His eyes,
He spoke to my heart, "My child, I died
so that you might have Everlasting Life.
Come unto Me and I will give you rest."
Then He gathered my weeping form to His chest.
At the grave of my father I rejoiced,
for I knew he too had made the right choice,
to trust God
no matter what life throws at one.

Written on:
March 18, 2004

Written by:
Belle Anne Leslie