Charismatics tap into the Spirit

Sixth in a Lenten series on Stewardship -- A Life of Prayer

	Stewardship Stewardship: A Way of Life is the diocesan thrust. It invites Catholics to acknowledge that all of life is a gift of God and to respond through prayer, service and sharing. This series will look at ways to do that.

I've been a member of the People of God Catholic charismatic prayer group for almost 30 years, and have found the weekly prayer meetings to be a place where I learn to be more and more open to God's plan for my life.

Lent
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His love is so evident at the meetings that I'm encouraged to go deeper into his heart and challenged to live that love. Of course, I fall short of that goal, but the community is there for support, encouragement and prayer as we share our deep love of Jesus and the desire to do his will.

I remember how welcomed I felt the first time I attended a prayer meeting. The music was both joyful and prayerful; the worship peaceful. A word was spoken out in tongues and, after some silence, the interpretation came from someone else, but in English. There were spontaneous prayers, scripture readings and testimonies given.

This format has changed little over the years. It's evident that the gifts of the Spirit are given for the community. There is usually a clear message that is clarified as the evening progresses, and we know that God has revealed that message through the gifts shared.

I received the gift of praying in tongues during a Life in the Spirit seminar in 1977. This gift has allowed me to yield my voice to the Spirit and allow him to pray through me in words that only God knows. As my prayer language joins with that of others at prayer meetings, our prayer become one of pure praise and builds up the entire community.

I also use tongues for intercessory prayer. When the Spirit prays through me for those I love and for those who have asked for prayers, I am assured that those prayers are according to God's will. It might not be for me to know exactly how he is taking care of the person or situation. I have the peace and faith that he is working.

During one prayer meeting several years ago, a person had a "word of knowledge" that someone was being healed of migraine headaches. That someone was me! That healing gave me faith and courage to pray with others for healing.

Several of us from the prayer group took a course from the School of Healing Prayer and have formed healing teams that pray with people after our prayer meetings and after the charismatic Masses (held the first Wednesday of each month). When I see what God does through these prayers, I am in awe of how he works through ordinary people.

Each day begins with a sense of expectation as I ask: "What do you have for me today, Lord?" Daily prayer time has become a priority for me because it gives me the perspective I need to allow his spirit to overshadow my spirit and use me in any way. Because of his spirit I can join in the church's prayer and say: "This is my body. I give it for you."

If you are interested in attending a charismatic prayer meeting, you are welcome to join us at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays at St. Matthew Parish in Green Bay. We're in the church basement until the new church is ready. Twenty-four other prayer groups meet in the Green Bay Diocese. Phone the Diocesan Charismatic Renewal Center at (920)405-1960 for the times and locations.

(Goolsbey, a member of St. Matthew Parish, Green Bay, is the office manager for the Diocesan Charismatic Renewal Center.)

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