A friend of mine who I've known for over 15 years is going through some major health issues and has been for several years now. She's had surgeries and pain but has kept strong and confident throughout her ordeal, rarely speaking of it to anyone. To see her casually, you'd never know anything was wrong.
Today when I was checking updates on Facebook, I noticed a beautiful post from her mother asking for prayer for her daughter, who was on a flight from Tulsa to another city to undergo yet another surgery. It was a beautiful yet simple plea for prayers for her daughter's healing and so she will not need to suffer through more surgeries. It was short but touched me that her mother thought to spread the word through social media asking for prayers for her daughter.
This simple request showed so much. It showed her faith in God, knowing He will hear the prayers. It showed her faith in her family and friends, that if she asked for prayers, people would offer them up. And they were. The comments following her request were beautiful. It showed her faith in miracles.
Some people criticize social media, pointing out it's flaws. Skeptics say it is encouraging an almost voyeuristic type behavior, people telling everything they are doing at all times. But I have seen the positive influence it has had. This is a way for us to spread our faith to masses of people. This can be from positive postings asking for prayers, spreading the word about faith in our politics, to invitations to know Jesus.
While we must be leery and careful with technology, we can also embrace it as a new way to reach people, especially the younger generation. Previously prayer chains were used, people calling each other to spread the word prayers were needed, notices were put in bulletins, or just word of mouth at coffee and donuts after Mass. But welcome to the future. Through social media, whether it be Twitter, Facebook, or even blogs, many people can receive all sorts of information quickly. Why not use this to our advantage?
So I will monitor Facebook, watching for updates on my friend's surgery and recovery, while keeping her in my prayers.
Today when I was checking updates on Facebook, I noticed a beautiful post from her mother asking for prayer for her daughter, who was on a flight from Tulsa to another city to undergo yet another surgery. It was a beautiful yet simple plea for prayers for her daughter's healing and so she will not need to suffer through more surgeries. It was short but touched me that her mother thought to spread the word through social media asking for prayers for her daughter.
This simple request showed so much. It showed her faith in God, knowing He will hear the prayers. It showed her faith in her family and friends, that if she asked for prayers, people would offer them up. And they were. The comments following her request were beautiful. It showed her faith in miracles. Some people criticize social media, pointing out it's flaws. Skeptics say it is encouraging an almost voyeuristic type behavior, people telling everything they are doing at all times. But I have seen the positive influence it has had. This is a way for us to spread our faith to masses of people. This can be from positive postings asking for prayers, spreading the word about faith in our politics, to invitations to know Jesus.
While we must be leery and careful with technology, we can also embrace it as a new way to reach people, especially the younger generation. Previously prayer chains were used, people calling each other to spread the word prayers were needed, notices were put in bulletins, or just word of mouth at coffee and donuts after Mass. But welcome to the future. Through social media, whether it be Twitter, Facebook, or even blogs, many people can receive all sorts of information quickly. Why not use this to our advantage? 
So I will monitor Facebook, watching for updates on my friend's surgery and recovery, while keeping her in my prayers. 
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