TOPAZ HORIZON

Totoo yan! God is so good talaga. When I was a kid, I was so meek that when my ninangs and ninongs would ask me what I wanted for Christmas, I'd say "kahit ano po, kayo na po ang bahala." And guess what, most of the time I ended up with well-meaning but terrible gifts! Ayan kasi! Arte arte pa ang gusto ko lang naman Barbie!

Then, I came into a relationship with God and I learned that I really need to start asking and be specific about it. Even if He knows what we need before we even know that we need it, the good Lord still wants us to exercise our faith and ASK!

And He has answered so many of my prayers. Even the stupid ones, para daw matuto ako (ayan pala ang gusto mo ha...) It's amazing how God works and amazing how even though a lot of times, ini-itchapwera (horrendous spelling, i know!) lang natin siya, He is so patient with us and delights in granting the desires of our hearts.

Oh by the way, funny that I read this tonight! Tracy is here in Pico de Loro now, she's having dinner at the hotel resto downstairs as I type.

HAHA! This is very true! When you look at hindsight and realize all your prayers were just answered as they are. So I am now very careful and very specific with my declarations :)

Thanks for this post :) It reminded me to pray again.

This made me smile kase I totally agree with you on being specific when praying. I prayed to God to give me the right person, sabi ko kay God someone who can love me more than I can love him, with good family background, galing sa magandang school (naka-specify yung school btw), someone who can make me laugh, someone kind, patient, understanding and cute (may line pa ko sa prayer ko na someone Na I can picture myself kissing) :D and when God noticed na I was ready for a mature relationship, He revealed me the right person and mind you exacto sa hiningi ko. :)

I really believe in the power of specific prayers. As in! When my father was bedridden because of cancer years ago, I kept on praying, "Ya Allah, wag po sana syang mamatay". And then, after some months, nakikita ko na'ng masakit na para kay Papa, ang naging dasal ko na, "kayo na po'ng bahala kung ano yung mas mabuti para kay Papa". Ayun, less than a week, he died in our house surrounded by his mother, my mother, his children, and sisters. God really hears our prayers.

Hi Frances! Thank you for posting this entry. It's really inspiring, and like you, I also am a great believer in the power of prayers. My mom also told me to be specific in my prayers but when I was younger, I found that silly because I thought God was all big and mighty, He may find my specific prayers funny. But as I get older, I realized that you really have to ask Him what you want and He will always give it to you. As I go on with life, I get to know real people who pray hard and get what they ask for. Just now, there's this thing that I am asking for and I hope he will grant me my request. This entry of yours is a sign for me that I should ask and never worry because God will provide. :)

I've had some encounters of those answered prayers. But it was just a few years ago when I learned that when you ask, you needed to be SPECIFIC. A few months before I turned 28 last year, I chanced upon a long lost friend. And as my birthday was approaching, I remember just praying all I wanted was to be with my family and this friend for my big day. I did not ask for the usual material gifts because I knew I could buy them on my own but being with someone needed intervention. I mustered the courage to invite my friend two weeks before and when my birthday came, there he was in my doorstep right smack at 5pm.

And when he asked me what my birthday wish was, I remember telling him I have it right this moment -- just as I prayed for and I blew the candle on the cake with tears in my eyes.

I so agree with this post!

When I graduated from College, I asked God (I pray in St Clare Katipunan) that I get a job immediately. I got an offer as a programmer.. but the position is in Leyte (I'm in manila).

On a more serious note, my sister in law was comatose for more than a year, I prayed to God, if nahihirapan na sya, we are ready to let her go, less than a week later she died.

This blog post made me smile!

-Myleen

This might be a long comment, but I just want to share :)

Six years ago, I was fresh out of college and I prayed that sana right after graduation magkawork na ako. True enough, I was accepted in a PR firm and was told to start Monday after graduation! But I did not last in the industry because I was too young and thinking about it now, parang naglalaro lang ako. So I was told by my boss to just do a graceful exit. I got depressed and prayed for another job. Something that will make me happy, with God-fearing bosses who are fun and easy to talk to, a relaxed environment and an exciting industry. Three weeks after, I started work at a TV network, with cool and fun bosses and colleagues and most of all, who "places God above all!" Amazing, diba?

But after almost five years in that TV network, I realised it was time for me to spread my wings and explore new dimensions. That had me praying for a stint in a corporate world because I was looking to step up the ladder; and I was beginning to get exhausted with the shifting schedule. True enough, I was hired by a multinational company, only to resign after a month because I felt I wasn't really cut out for the job. I prayed and prayed and sought Thy help. I even contemplated on leaving the country for Singapore, because I fell in love with that country when I first set foot there in 2007 and really wanted to work and settle there with my boyfriend. I sent out resumes online, despite the warning na mahirap nga raw makahanap ng work lately sa SG and most firms there prefer locals. So I prayed yet again, na "sana Lord, kung hindi man ako magtrabaho mismo sa Singapore, sana kahit Manila-based Singaporean firm ang mapasukan kong next. And sana normal office hours ang pasok and light lang rin ang environment and mababait ang bosses and most of all may takot sa Iyo!" I also prayed then na sana birthday gift na lang sa akin ni Lord yung new job ko. True enough, a college friend posted a job vacancy on Facebook for a Singaporean firm hiring here in Manila. I did not grab the opportunity agad, kasi iniisip ko pa kung kaya ko yung nirerequire na work. After a week, I passed my resume, interviewed the next day and was accepted that same day! I cried talaga while driving on my way home kasi I feel na hindi ako deserving ng grace because I'm not a perfect child of God, yet he remained faithful to me kahit na ganun.

How am I now? I am still with the company! I have wonderful workmates and bosses, pabor pati sa akin ang work hours! Even though I'm here in Manila, my work requires my mind to be in Singapore since the accounts I'm handling are based there. I even got to visit our headquarters on my third week at work! And most of all, my SG boss is Christian, so talagang nilaan para sa akin yung job na yun!

I know mahaba na ito, I'm just inspired by people who are moved by God, and I'd also like to be an inspiration to all of you, especially those who are seeking greener pastures locally or abroad. Tiwala lang!

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 :)

Drug overdose. Year 2000 pa yun, ayaw patanggal sa life support ng mother nya. She was separated from my brother; Left 2 young kids, aged 2 and 3 sila then; Dalaga na mga nieces ko now and living with me (Kuya is working abroad). I remember saying that praying sa Lady of Good Voyage sa Antipolo; I remember it clearly because what I asked for was given.

Thanks for posting this, Frances! I think that's what I need to be reminded of - to ask specifically. :) Funny that I ask people specifically what they want para no miscomm pero minsan, pag sobrang antok na ako, I just thank and ask Him for the blessings in general. :)

When I pray for things and have a specific thing in mind - as in I have a picture of it in my mind, binibigay nya talaga. :) This especially works when I ask him to send me to a specific place for my next adventure.:)

Anyway, many many thanks again for this post! :)

I'm very inspired by this post! :) Thank you for sharing and reminding how we should pray. God truly answers us in mysterious ways! :)

-pauline
classycroissant.blogspot.com

This is so true. I used to pray "generic" because for some reason, nahihiya ako kay Lord, but then an auntie told me I should ask specific, like how I ask from my dad. It all made sense, and thanks for pointing it out again. :) Happy Friday, Frances!

I really like this post Ms Frances. It reminded me of my own personal experience.

You know, I really wanted to win the lottery but the thing is I never make taya or buy a ticket. BUt then I thought how will I win if I never buy a ticket? So off I went to the nearest lotto outlet. I got my ticket, went home and said my prayers.

The following day, I checked the winning numbers. He did answer my prayer. I won! I got 3 numbers right so I got Php20! I should have been more specific. I should have told Him I want the jackpot and not just to win something. He does have a great sense of humor. Amen to that. LOL!