Response to "coincidence" in prayer

[Plasnick]

Since August, per a suggestion in my parish bulletin, I have been saying a “spiritual adoption” prayer for the unborn, a practice popularized by Archbishop Fulton Sheen. The prayer is to be said daily for a period of nine months (the standard duration of a pregnancy). The prayer is very simple and goes like this:

“Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I love you very much. Please watch over ________, an unborn child that I have spiritually adopted who is in danger of abortion.”

In the blank, you insert any name that you choose to represent the unborn child. Seeking a unisex name, I have been praying for the last four months or so for the soul of Sandy. Of course, after the recent destructive storm of the same name and last week’s horrific massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School, there now is a tragic undertone to the name I selected. Furthermore, I spent five years as an elementary school teacher, and my current job involves me in post-Sandy recovery planning, so both of these events have hit home somewhat personally.

I realize how narcissistic it sounds for me to think that these awful events are in any way related to the name I chose for this prayer intention, but I am not sure what a proper response would be to this apparent coincidence. Dismissing it as nothing feels like a half-step toward doubting the efficacy of prayer, but pursuing a message where there may be none feels self-centered, especially given the depth of these tragedies (not to mention the intended focus of the prayer).

Any thoughts on similar prayer experiences that others may have had would be greatly appreciated. Thanks & God bless.

 

[MarcoPolo]

When you try to discern something, see if it is a good thing or a bad thing. Praying for someone named Sandy is a good thing. I don’t think that’s arguable as long as you recognize the efficacy of prayer. Therefore, thoughts that your prayer is somehow bad are therefore a temptation to stop, which would be bad. Offer up your struggle as part of the prayer for unborn Sandy. It may please God very much that you persist in prayer even during struggling times.

 

[Paul_theApostle]

You wouldnt be alone in experiencing coincidences in the life of prayer

Maybe its a temptaion for you to stop praying and using that name if you dwell on those negative instances with the name Sandy such as those examples you gave

I wouldnt let it stop you,and with myself when coincidences happen to me it makes me think that i am tapping into the right channel and they increase my faith in prayer and God

You may not know the reasons for such coincidences but God knows everything behind it all and the best thing we can do is persist and carry on with our duties of prayer and Christian life with our faith strengthened

Peace

 

[MaryT777]

I have read many times that a “coincidence is where God chose to remain anonymous”
I agree with the poster that states he hopes you continue in your prayer despite the connections to the name. What a great idea to adopt an unborn child in your heart.
Peace in Christ,
Mary.