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When I journaled my experience I looked back at the previous few days of my journal and found something very interesting. Day 23 was a contemplative prayer with John 14. A phrase that I contemplated with was; “Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it.” I pondered on this phrase for quite a while during that prayer session. I really felt at peace with this phrase, because it really showed Jesus’s love for me. Then two days later, on day 25, Jesus asked me in the Guided Meditation; “What do you want me to do for you?” I really could not believe what I was reading in my journal. First, Jesus told me he will do whatever I ask of him. Now he asked me specifically what I want. I really felt Jesus’s love at that moment.

I know with all my heart that he is listening and he will keep his promise to heal me. I am so grateful for the opportunity to pray with these various prayer types. Although Guided Meditation has been my favorite, the other types of prayer have been essential for me as well. In looking back at my journal, I saw over and over how a prayer or a question I had one day was answered the next day or a few days later.

Thank you for “Pray40Days” You taught me at 70 years old to re-pray!

Marge

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Father Michael also said to imagine saying “Master I want to see.” If we really have faith, he will give us sight. As the blind man opened his eyes and was able to see, he saw Jesus in front of him. Now, imagine that we are opening our eyes, that we can now see and want nothing else then to follow Jesus. At that point, I opened my eyes and was staring at the Blessed Sacrament. What I saw was not Jesus’s face, but rather, his foot. There was a very clear image of Jesus’s foot showing a nail hole. All I could do was stare at the image for several minutes, trying not to blink, because I was afraid the image would disappear. After several minutes, I was able to say, “I will follow you Jesus.” Then the image disappeared. I ended this meditation by asking God to teach me how to “follow Jesus.”

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Dear Father Michael Denk,

Just wanted to “thank you” for the inspiring and enlightening Mission - Pray40Days presented by you last week. My husband and I are not parishioners of St. Joseph in Amherst, but rather St. Peter Parish in Lorain. I can’t even begin to tell you what an impact your message has made in our lives. We both were raised Catholic and attended both Catholic grade school and high school, as well as following our faith by regular Sunday church attendance. But… NEVER have our eyes or hearts been opened to prayer as presented by you… that is … until now! Our only regret is not having your book at the very beginning of Lent (and, perhaps, not knowing of this marvelous approach years earlier.) Now we have begun to pray in a way that will continue to transform our prayer lives forever! Thank y, again, for changing our elementary way of praying.

Your nature and Spirit truly embodies our savior, Jesus Christ. May god bless you abundantly.

Mark and Marlene

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I praise and thank God everyday for pray40days. We don't learn enough about prayer and doing it on my own with books hasn't helped. Your program was an answer to my prayers. Each person is different and since not having a childhood I don't have a well developed imagination and handle most things intellectually. Thus the guided prayers, contemplation , lectio divina were most helpful to me.

Margi

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Fr. Michael!

Thank you again for a wonderful Pray40Days! I know because of this I have grown closer to Christ! It really did help to understand how important it is to pray! During this lent I did give up TV and Netflix, got up every week day before work at 5 am (somedays even before the morning email was sent out) to get a good 30-45 minutes of prayer and reflection in! I do want to wish you a Happy Easter 2016 and thank you for allowing me to be apart of this journey!

Christopher

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WOW! Just wanted to thank you for this amazing pray40days! Today the meditation of The Walking on the Water brought me to tears. 16 years ago during lent I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and this scripture has always been so special to me....until I allowed HIM into my boat and surrendered my roaring sea to HIM I was just afloat!! This scripture, back in the day, helped me to surrender more fully- without fear- to HIS plan for my return to health, and to just lay it at HIS feet and allow HIM to calm my fears and my "sea". Thank you so much for your dedication to this project....I've been on several retreats and have witnessed as well on my journey, but every once in a while we all need a another
"kick start in our journey" so just wanted to tell you thanks and that you are an absolute blessing to our parish....Peace-

Denise

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I just spent time telling Jesus how lost I feel and scared I am right now. I fear I may become a recluse and withdraw from everything. I am fighting it. But, I feel like I'm losing the battle. I was speaking out loud with tears just streaming down my face. And, I began to feel a sense of calm come over me. I didn't hear his voice, but I definitely felt his presence. I know I have a long road ahead of me, but I also know that he is here alongside me for this journey. And, that is giving me some peace. Thank you for the Pray40Days. It is awesome. You are awesome. It's nice to have the book to use along with the website. I am very grateful to you.

Kathleen

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There are so many signs Im now seeing that I did not before so many "coincidences" throughout my day. Had a very special time with my Dad today sharing Pray40Days with him and he shared stories of my childhood Prayer experiences. Im so blown away by this experience I cannot even express it fully. Todays contemplative Prayer gave me Hope and I prayed for a dear friend that I want to have hope, understanding and Peace from her grief and in her life.

Lyndi