I have asked myself many times, “Lord, what is wrong with me? Why do I have to live with a thorn in my flesh? Why did you not free me of my handicap when I began to serve you, Lord?” The Apostle Paul faced a similar problem and came to this conclusion. “To keep me from becoming too proud of having received many great revelations, the Lord allowed Satan to put a thorn in my flesh to torment me. I pleaded with the Lord three times to free me from my infirmity. The Lord replied, ‘Be satisfied with my grace; for it makes you depend on me for strength’” (II Cor. 12:7-9).

I wake up with good intentions, only by noon, I have yet to ask some one to help me with my problem. The day goes by and I am still where I was the night before because I did not follow through with my good intentions. I prayed, but that was all I did. I started the day with a lack of faith, in myself, and in those that could help me. I was afraid of being turned down. It is a sick feeling when I presume to fail before I do. What would Jesus recommend for my cure?

Jesus’ statement, “For the Son of Man came to seek and save what was lost,” is music to lost sinners. I have read this many times but suddenly, this morning, I was plagued with the question, “Did I want to be found?” I knew at the age of twelve that Jesus had to find me, but I did not go looking. I even was resentful when someone tried to find me. I was angry when my mother invited the preacher into our home. I was not ready to join his found sheep that were still straying more than I was. Prayer has helped me find myself.

We live in a sad world. It becomes even sadder when we lose a loved one or meet with some disappointments, even devastation. Oliver Wendell Holmes said, "Outside I laugh; inside I never laugh; the world is too sad" (Wa.186). In the early Church, sadness was the eight cardinal sin. The wise man held, "Even in laughter the heart is sad, and joy may end in grief" (Pr.14: 13). Modern man is being taught that he has the right to be in pursuit of happiness. If he plays his hand right, joy will come to him. Unfortunately, there are just too many of us running after the same things that supposedly could make us happy. What really can make us happy or what can cheer us?

The Book of Revelation 21:5 states, “Behold I make all things new!” Christians enter this new world here on earth. It is when we become “a new creation in Christ” (II Cor. 5:17). Prayer keeps the door open to that new kingdom Jesus brought to earth (Mk. 1:15). It is a kingdom that is not of this world (Jn. 18:36) and prayer helps me to be am ambassador of the world (II Cor. 5:18).

At Gethsemane, Jesus’ spirit was at the bottom of his earthly life. He said to Peter, James and John, “My soul is deeply troubled with sorrow to the point of wanting to die. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Jesus withdrew to be by Himself and asked the Father, if it were possible to not make Him drink the cup of shame, suffering and death. The disciples also were exhausted and fell asleep. Again, Jesus repeated His request saying, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation; for the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” Mt. 26:36-46). It was Jesus' last prayer that gave Him the inner strength to complete His redemptive mission.

My wife and I hoped to visit Vienna. We did three years ago and we still marvel at its splendor. It was Mecca for us. In the midst of all that history and glamour, we strolled along and found ourselves distancing from where we had to end up to return to the airport. I was overcome by the feeling of being lost and in need of some assistance. We asked a delivery young man for direction and he happened to come from Poland where I also was born. He sensed our predicament and drove us back to the train station. Vienna is not like modern cities where the streets run east and west or north and south. In those days, they build first and then built roads around these castles and palaces. In this unknown territory, we did behave like lost sheep and whispered a few prayers.