Good deeds versus prayer

[smithsyndicate]

I’ve been working as a nurse’s aide at a hospital (a Sisters of Mercy hospital, for those of you familiar with the McAuley story) in the neurological unit for the past few months. It’s my first job out of high school, and it’s tough–most of the people on the floor can’t do anything for themselves, and as a nurse’s aide I do it for them. For those of you wondering, yes, it does involve a good amount of bodily fluid.

Difficult as it may be, however, I love it. I help people for a living; I give people respect and dignity. I serve them with all my effort and willpower, and I put all the passion I have into everyday work. I use my faith in God’s strength to pull me through the most difficult of times and to help me excel in all my acts. In short, I do the best I possibly can.

However, I fear it is taking a toll on my spiritual life. I work evenings, which means I don’t get home until near midnight each night, and as soon as I hit the pillow I’m asleep. The day’s work is stressful both mentally and physically, and between preparations for college, time spent with friends and family, and dealing with the aftermath of a minor automobile accident, I find little time outside of Sundays for prayer and meditation. I used to pray the rosary each night alongside the Philmont Grace and a couple other prayers tossed in for good measure, but now I hardly ever pray the rosary and sometimes I fall asleep before I pray anything else.

Ever since I started working at the hospital I’ve been told that I was following Christ’s healing ministry, and I believe I am. The question is, however, are my good deeds sufficient compensation for my lack of attentiveness in prayer? Should I simply try to find more time in my hectic schedule? In a supremely fast-paced lifestyle, how can one slow down in due reverence?

Discuss.

 

[AlanFromWichita]

First, I believe if you don’t get enough sleep, it’s hard to think and behave as God designed us to. I agree that being exhausted is something to fix.

That said, I don’t know whether your particular vocal prayers are important enough to view them as some sort of commitment to God and ourselves. When you need sleep, would God have you toothpick your eyes awake so you can recite a prayer you’ve told yourself you’re going to say?

There are so many hours in a day, and you can’t expect to keep it all. But am I saying, “prayer is the first thing to go?” Not at all, just don’t become a slave to your own expectations – even if it is your expectations of yourself to say a certain number of prayers per day. Are you saying the prayer because you feel it conditions your heart, or is it so that you can say to yourself that you met another (possibly worldly?) goal? No accusations here, I’m just giving some food for thought. Hopefully it is nutritious for you.

Your work as a nurse’s aid is a living prayer, but if you are getting no peace that prayer may not be doing much good. Perseverance is good, but what things are worth pursuing?

In short, don’t allow yourself to make an unrealistic schedule and then beat yourself up for not keeping it.

Alan

 

[tbcrawford]

Hi
Firstly thankyou for your dedication to helping others,how wonderful and remarkable
you are.You are an example to us all.May God bless you for all your good deeds.

Why do deeds and prayer need to be either or, why not both? I too have a pretty busy caring role but i pray frequently throughout my day.I pray when im driving,whenever i get upset i say the Our Father(to myself).I pray when im running my bath, cooking ,washing up, eating etc etc.I have made prayer part of my daily life.I am always praying while doing my work
i also talk to God throughout the day.Also God knows our sincerity of heart and our inner most thoughts anyway.God already knows your love and devotion for Him.God bless you

 

[Terry_Murphy]

It sounds like you are dedicated to your work, which is God,s work as well. You are living a healing ministry. You are a very strong youg person with good moral standards. Assisting to the needs of those patience is one of God’s greatest commandments. You can always thank the Lord for a good day and tell him you love him and that is sufficient on a daily basis. Allow yourself time to continue to grow in your faith and continue a life that many will emulate. You can always purchase a prayer cd such as the many cd’s for the rosary and play it while you going to and from your work. God Bless you and thanks for sharing your comments.

 

[JRKH]

If the work you are doing is that which God has called you to - and you are doing it out of Love for God and your fellow man then every step, every kind word, every “bedpan”, every spongebath, every smile to someone who really needs one, IS a prayer to God, and more importantly, a witness to others of Him who you serve.

You need not worry that your “formal prayer time” is restricted so long as you are not “wasting time” (and no - sleeping is not time wasted).

Perhaps to ease your conscience a bit and aid you in your focus, you could use the small prayer posted below in my signature. Say this regularly during your day. In this way every action you perform is a prayer to God.

Peace
James