Picking my mother from the airport, I wasn’t sure what to expect. She had just spent 2 and a half weeks in Jakarta under the most trying of circumstances.
Her beloved niece had just been killed in a senseless car accident. Then, if dealing with the shock and pain wasn’t enough, she then witnessed said niece’s 14 year old daughter buried next to her mother. On her dead mother’s birthday.
I had wondered how my already frail, emotionally broken mother was going to carry her grieving sister’s heavy burden, consoling her through the grief.
As my mother quietly walked through the arrival gates, dad and I welcomed her with open arms, preparing her for a happy reunion.
All she could do was weep.
Back at home, we sat in a circle, as we often do when encountering difficult times and heartbreak as a family.
The conversation started getting heated, with mum telling stories about what she had experienced: who was blaming who; the hurtful and insensitive words from so-and-so during the funeral; the despicable topic of money.
So much obvious negativity and vitriol because let’s face it: times like this can bring out the worse in humans.
“Let’s pray” I finally said in my attempt to break the tension.
Surprising my mum, my dad and the other family members in the room, we all started to bow our heads.
I haven’t prayed aloud with my family in ages, hence their shock. But that morning, I prayed the most earnest prayer I have ever offered to my God.
First of all, I told Him that He obviously knew the pain we were all going through so I didn’t need to go through the gory details. Through the sobs I asked for strength and guidance. I also said I don’t know why it happened but I wasn’t going to ask Him why. As hard as it was, I was instead going to ask Him to help me turn to my faith.
But in a flood of tears my final plea to Him was:
“Please, please let us all be there for each other. Help us and guide us to get through this together. To forgive those who have done wrong by us in the past; to give them the love, strength and support that they need right now”
With the awful, tragic news of the Malaysian Airline disappearance, I keep seeing my Twitter feed filled with people desperately turning to prayer and hope.
Malaysia is very similar to Indonesia in regards to religious culture and its dominant Muslim presence.
With most Malaysians having a mixed ethnic background (mainly Chinese and Indian) but also influences from Persian, Arabic and British cultures, it’s an extremely multicultural country.
But again, despite differences, this is where everyone comes together. Just as they did for my cousin’s sudden passing, people are offering their prayers to the victims and families of those on that fateful flight. Prayers of hope and strength from the Higher Beings they know best.
It always takes my breath away when I see masses of people praying together.
It reminds me of the deep compassion we still possess as humans. Especially, in a world that can be so horribly cruel; when tragic events can make us shake our heads in utter disbelief.
And whether you believe in the power of prayer or meditation, all I can say is that with that prayer I made in that room with my family, I felt something lift from my shoulders. My heart felt a little lighter. The tears hadn’t stopped but I knew they flowed with purpose.
Because Someone was listening to me. Someone was weeping with me.
Beautiful post Grace. Very sorry to hear you your cousin and her daughter, my thoughts are with you and your family xxx.
Devastating news about the MH flight and I truly believe in the power of prayer, turning over our hurts, sorrows and worries to Him, knowing that we have no control over everything.
We’ve been praying for MH370 here too, if those on board have perished my prayer is that they are found so that their families can grieve with some closure.
I’m glad that you were able to find solace in prayer too Grace xx
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“And whether you believe in the power of prayer or meditation, all I can say is that with that prayer I made in that room with my family, I felt something lift from my shoulders. My heart felt a little lighter. The tears hadn’t stopped but I knew they flowed with purpose.
Because Someone was listening to me. Someone was weeping with me.”
I totally get this Grace. I have felt this many times in my life. Prayer can be a very powerful thing.
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I’ve started praying again after a long absence and it’s a comfort to know that a higher power is out there batting for us. I hope that the higher power will take care of your family too.x
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Oh Grace, such a beautiful post. I have tears in my eyes. I’m so sorry for the losses that have touched your family; and my heart aches for those mourning their loved ones in the Malaysian airlines plane crash. Yes, may God draw us all together and help us to set aside our pettiness and differences, and to focus on what really matters xxx
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Hello there Grace, very apt to think about prayer today, so many people around the world are praying.
I don’t really have a God in my life, but something spiritual somewhere and I certainly do pray… and it works.
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Grace, I have a drafted post called the power of prayer… I believe that prayers have a huge power, especially praying in group. I’m so sorry for your losses Grace. Thinking of you.
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Oh sweetheart, you know that I’m a believer in the universe and that everything happens for a reason, and while I find it hard to stomach at times, we all have to cling on to what we can to get by. Hugs to you, your mumma, and for all the heartache you continue to have to face. My heart is very heavy for all those involved in the Malaysia Airlines incident xx
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Very touching. Thank you for sharing.
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Beautiful and powerful Grace. I think you are right that prayer unites us not just with God and universal grace, but with our shared human capacity for compassion.
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Many of us only remember to pray in times of need (I know because this is me, too)… and you know what, it doesn’t matter. It is still powerful and Someone is still listening…. xx
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It’s so true Grace, if we don’t have faith, we really don’t have much. The fact that we all have varying faiths gives me some kind of comfort. I’m so sad for all the losses your family has suffered, love to you all.
I still struggle to get my head around the whole Malaysian Airlines tragedy, and hope that some closure and peace can come to the families of those passengers and crew. xx
Lisa@RandomActsOfZen recently posted..Could You Validate Me, Please?
Some awful things happen in our lives that cause such great pain and it is so easy to lose faith during these trying times. Sending love to help heal the hurt over such a tragic family loss. xx N
Nikki@WonderfullyWomen recently posted..Get Organised With A Mini Control Centre
I’m so sorry to hear about all that your family has been through lately.
I truly believe in the power of prayer. And you wrote about it so beautifully. If it hadn’t already been added, I would have added it to Francesca’s Festa of Favourites for March xx
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Grace, so sorry to hear of your loss. At times, it does seem that tragic death only emphasizes our pettiness. This was an inspiring post.
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