This is a daily message that comes every morning but today's was like a breakthrough ...it talks about 'soaking prayer'. It's like a key piece of a puzzle that's been missing for me. It made me wonder where I had been? Have any of you heard about it or been using it? March 2, 2009 Dear Family of Mary! "Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy steadfast love, according to thy abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin." (Psalm 51:1-2) Psalm 51 is the penitential psalm ascribed to King David. David wrote this psalm after he realized his sin in taking Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah. The full story of David's sin is told in 2 Samuel 11 and 12. David lusted after Bathsheba, had relations with her, found out she was pregnant and had Uriah killed when he couldn't cover up the liaison any other way. He knew the gravity of his sin, and he knew that he could not right the wrong. It was too late. But David did not despair in the face of his guilt. He was so filled with faith, so aware that he was in God's hands, that he could do nothing but turn to God for mercy and forgiveness. This psalm expresses David's deep faith in the Father, his complete trust in God's mercy and forgiveness. It is the perfect prayer for Lent. In the first two verses we ask God to take our sin away by blotting it out, washing us and cleansing us of all our guilt and brokenness. Really, when we have sinned we feel in need of washing. The guilt sticks to us, adheres to us like mud. We are uncomfortable until we are rid of the guilt. And when we have been far from the Lord we can feel very dried up, in need of the waters of life. Sin can block us from receiving the graces we so need to live. Mother Nadine( Intercessors of the Lamb) teaches a way of interceding that involved what she calls "soaking" prayer. She says that when someone is in need of conversion or healing but they are not ready to turn to the Lord yet we can pray a soaking prayer for them. We can imagine them in prayer, and in the quiet of our own heart we can just ask the Lord to soak them with His love, His forgiveness, His grace. We can ask the Lord to soak them with His presence, gently filling them with peace and hope. Such "soaking" prayer sounds very much like the washing, cleansing prayer of David. It is a beautiful understanding of God's love. God is all forgiveness and love, and He is capable of loving us, no matter how sinful. As we pray for His soaking grace to just fall upon us, we create an environment for conversion and change. We can pray a soaking prayer for others, and we can pray that prayer for ourselves like David did. It is important to be filled by God with His grace every day through prayer. Mother Mary said it this way: "Dear children! I desire to call you to grow in love. A flower is not able to grow normally without water. So also you, dear children, are not able to grow without God's blessing. From day to day you need to seek His blessing so you will grow normally and perform all your actions in union with God. Thank you for having responded to my call." (April 10, 1986) Soaking prayer is seeking the blessing of God, so that we can grow normally. Our sins and the residue of our sins can keep us from growing properly. Soaking prayer is one way to rid ourselves of the residue of sin and be filled with God's love. In Jesus and Mary! Cathy Nolan © 2009 Mary TV www.marytv.tv
Lee, This is a very wonderful message. I have never heard of this concept bit I really like it. Who gives this message and from what source? Mary
Ah, yes... Lee, It has been a number of years since I've heard the term, soaking prayer. When my family was actively involved in the Charismatic Renewal, a form of soaking prayer was used especially when someone was suffering and in need of emotional or spiritual healing. Friends would gather and gently lay hands on the individual and pray for an extended period of time. Prayers were directed to Jesus to come and simply fill the person with his love and grace. This might go on for 10-20 minutes. The idea was to serve as conduits of Christ's love. The combination of intercessory prayer and touch proved very powerful. I remember a time more recently when our son, Benjamin, injured his left knee in Spain. We could not go to him physically, so we utilized a form of soaking prayer. The family sat our youngest boy, Daniel, in a chair and everyone laid hands on his left knee and prayed for an extended period of time. Though prayed over Danny, our prayers were offered up for Ben. This is also known as praying proxy. Well, Benjamin contacted us the next day to inform us of a speedier-than-expected recovery! The bond of family runs deep! In the example you shared above, imaging was used instead of direct touch, but the essence is the same. God is good. Blessed be His most holy Name!
Mario, thank you for that testimony, it's awesome to hear about Him in motion. God is so good, he's so good! The source that I used is from Cathy Nolan of Children of Medjugorje. She and her husband Dennis put out Our Lady's message on line. She started a daily email that you can subscribe to, the address I believe is at the bottom of the text. I had not known of the soaking prayer and look forward to usuing it, A LOT! She refers to Mother Nadine at the Intercessors of the Lamb. I encourage you to google it. Mother Nadine is spot on, is a great intercessor and the organization has books and cd's that help lead and give clarification. I'm giving myself an early birthday gift this year and attending the conference in July and am so looking forward to it.
