Spiritual intervention or coincidence?

[rainbowbright]

Okay my husband is very skeptical when it comes to spiritual interevention, but this has got him freaked out.
My husband will be losing his job come April 1st due to his company losing their contract. My husband has a few interviews in Denver and we are faced with the fact that we might have to move to Denver. However, one of these interviews is for a teaching job in Japan and if I've never mentioned before, my husband's whole purpose of living is to move to Japan and we've had to put it off so many times due to pregnancy (we were going to go last time even though I was pregnant, but then found out it was twins, so we stayed and our priest believed it was God putting a huge monkey-wrench in our plans ). Anyways this job in Japan doesn't pay much more than what he is making now, but we could both get jobs teaching English privately. My husband has been really depressed at the thought of losing his job so I told him we need to start praying to St Xenia since I read somewhere she was the patron saint of hardship (I think I read it on here somewhere).We started doing that and last night I got a call from him and he was almost shaken because he realized that his interview for this Japan job is the same exact day of the feast day of St Xenia. He now thinks that this is not just happening because this job would open up only a week of losing his current job.
What do you think? Is it possible?

[Knowledge3]

With God, all things are possible.

[DonVA]

Because anything is possible with God, I have a hard time believing in coincidences anymore. It's almost as if you have to prove to me that coincidences exist. ;)

Was it coincidence that the little boy whose mother I slipped some money at the beach in 1999 so she could take him and have some fun became my adopted son in 2006? We had been strangers until 2003 when I became his foster parent.

Was it coincidence that after waiting nearly a year for the court to finalize the adoption that I received the letter when I returned home from DL on the feast day for St. Demetrios (a huge influence in my family)

I think miracles happen around us all the time in the form of intercessions and other "unexplainable" (yet timely!) occurances, but we shrug them off as coincidences... until we're a little further out of the forest and have a better view of the big picture.

[Orthocat]

right DonVA. Things like that have happened so many times in my life I do not believe in "coincidences". Only the blessings and miracles of our Lord.


RB, just tell him to have faith, for we know that "all things work together...."




And oh, after watching "The Grudge" I have no desire to move to Japan!!! :eek:

[MariaRegina]

Yes, I agree.

The more we let God in our life, the more we see Him working in our life.

[Jacob4707]

This thread is just what I need, I think:

http://www.christianforums.com/t4556415-spiritual-intervention-or-coincidence.html

I still have "issues" with praying to or asking for the prayers of the Saints, and it's one of those issues that stands between me and becoming Orthodox, I think. I literally feel a deadness come over me and my prayers when I come to prayers to the Theotokos or to Saints - not so much during the Liturgy, but on my own at home - something inside of me just clutches up or comes to a halt, and I cannot say the prayers with any sense of belief, if I can even say them at all.

Can some of you elaborate on:

1. How you overcame this issue, if it was an issue for you

2. Examples of what appeared to be - or what you know to be - responses to your prayers/requests to the Saints

[MariaRegina]

Have you ever had a close relative die?

Do you immediately stop talking to them just because they are in a coffin or grave?

Do you believe that those who have fallen asleep in Christ are somehow unconscious and not even aware that we exist?



My take, for what it is worth.

When my uncle Leo died, I was distraught, because no one had told me that he was sick and dying. I wasn't able to see him. Of course, since he was suffering for about six months with liver cancer (due to too much tylenol for a back injury, so his doctors thought), my relatives didn't want me to see him in so much pain.

Anyway, when I received the news of his saintly death, I fell into tears, and I had difficulty thinking about getting dressed or fixing meals. Everything became a chore, so I asked him to give me a sign that he was in heaven. Immediately, I felt a great holy joy and this lifted me from the depression into which I had fallen at the news of his death.

Now, whenever I have problems in life, I ask his intercession before Christ, because I have no doubts whatsoever that Leo now stands before Christ, my King and my God. He has answered my countless prayers and has really helped me and my family.

St. Leo, pray to God for us.

[Knowledge3]

This thread is just what I need, I think:

http://www.christianforums.com/t4556415-spiritual-intervention-or-coincidence.html

I still have "issues" with praying to or asking for the prayers of the Saints, and it's one of those issues that stands between me and becoming Orthodox, I think. I literally feel a deadness come over me and my prayers when I come to prayers to the Theotokos or to Saints - not so much during the Liturgy, but on my own at home - something inside of me just clutches up or comes to a halt, and I cannot say the prayers with any sense of belief, if I can even say them at all.

Can some of you elaborate on:

1. How you overcame this issue, if it was an issue for you

2. Examples of what appeared to be - or what you know to be - responses to your prayers/requests to the Saints

The Saints are in Heaven serving the Living God.

It is a special communication of holiness and grace.

[MariaRegina]

Here is another saint who has blessed me.

This may seem surprising, but I cannot tell you how many times St. John helped me with mechanical or computer problems. He has become my heavenly repair man.

When we had our old Kenmore washing machine, it would just suddenly stop working. It was computerized. So, I would touch the machine very gently and ask St. John to help it start, and it would start. Can I explain it? No. I didn't slam the machine; I just put my hands on the lid -- not even touching the computer component -- and the thing would start working.

Whenever someone in the house would become sick, I would ask the aid of St. John, and he would come speedily to help me. He is an all around wonderworker of the Lord.

St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco, come speedily to our aid and pray to God for us.

[Sacrum Silentium]

St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco, come speedily to our aid and pray to God for us.
Amen.

[Orthocat]

My take, for what it is worth.

When my uncle Leo died, I was distraught, because no one had told me that he was sick and dying. I wasn't able to see him. Of course, since he was suffering for about six months with liver cancer (due to too much tylenol for a back injury, so his doctors thought), my relatives didn't want me to see him in so much pain.

Anyway, when I received the news of his saintly death, I fell into tears, and I had difficulty thinking about getting dressed or fixing meals. Everything became a chore, so I asked him to give me a sign that he was in heaven. Immediately, I felt a great holy joy and this lifted me from the depression into which I had fallen at the news of his death.

Now, whenever I have problems in life, I ask his intercession before Christ, because I have no doubts whatsoever that Leo now stands before Christ, my King and my God. He has answered my countless prayers and has really helped me and my family.

St. Leo, pray to God for us.


ok, I have a story similar that I've never told.

My little brother died of a massive stroke at the ripe old age of 30. He was one of the most gentle and sweetest guys ever, a Christian, and I never heard him once say anything bad about anyone.
He loved music - he played various instruments, favorite being guitar.
Days after his funeral I was out at night and praying to help him and have him welcomed into the Kingdom. I asked God to just let him play for Him - because that was his good passion.
Then, like Aria, a peace came over me and this...thought, if you will...that my brother was not simply playing music now, but had become like music for the Lord and I could see my brother smiling. I don't know what that means, but that sense of peace about him brought tears to my eyes, not for his passing, but out of joy for his new life...

God speaks to us in so many ways, if only we allow Him to. The saints, the martyrs, our loved ones, they are there and they hear us and pray for us.
How wonderful is our Lord.

[DonVA]

How awesome for you that you took the time to listen.

[Mary of Bethany]

This thread is just what I need, I think:

http://www.christianforums.com/t4556415-spiritual-intervention-or-coincidence.html

I still have "issues" with praying to or asking for the prayers of the Saints, and it's one of those issues that stands between me and becoming Orthodox, I think. I literally feel a deadness come over me and my prayers when I come to prayers to the Theotokos or to Saints - not so much during the Liturgy, but on my own at home - something inside of me just clutches up or comes to a halt, and I cannot say the prayers with any sense of belief, if I can even say them at all.

Can some of you elaborate on:

1. How you overcame this issue, if it was an issue for you

2. Examples of what appeared to be - or what you know to be - responses to your prayers/requests to the Saints

It took me a while to, first of all, even think of asking the intercessions of the Saints, because it just wasn't part of my prayer life. And when I did begin, it was very tentative, because I couldn't shake that protestant upbringing that there was something wrong with it. But that wasn't really convincing, because I truly believed they were alive in Christ and in His Presence, so why couldn't I ask their intercessions just like I ask my friends here on earth.

So I started, haltingly at first but now it just seems natural to ask for their help. I tend to turn to certain Saints for prayers for particular people - ones I think have a connection of some sort, either by names, or by their situation, or what they are known for.

I can't say that I have a specific instance of knowing a prayer has been answered. Probably because I tend to go through life with spiritual blinders on. :(

Mary

[rainbowbright]

I really hope this experience will help my husband with his doubts. He would've become buddhist before we became Orthodox if I would've stopped fighting with him and didn't call him a heritic. Now he says he's Orthodox because he feels safe and knows it's the true church but doen't know if he really believes in God.
I have ALWAYS known about intervention. I guess I'll share some of my favorite stories: when I was a little girl, I had lost my glasses and I could not find them anywhere and my parents said I was grounded if I couldn't find them. I was sitting on the couch thinking and pondering about where I had put them when I heard a voice that said 'look under the cabinet'. there was a shelf over by the tv that had a compartment with doors on it, so I went over and opened it- low and behold, there were my glasses. I told my parents I had heard this voice and my dad being a Baptist, told me to be careful because it could be Satan talking to me but of course I knew it wasn't Satan because he wouldn't have wanted to help me.
I also have a relative story that my whole family observed excpet for me:
When my grandmother was dying, the wole family gathered around her except my dad and me. my mom wanted to take my brother because she doesn't like me very much but my brother is her pride and joy. Anyways, we stayed at home but I really wanted to go see my grandma and was really mad at my parents for not letting me see her (I still am to this day). Well my grandma lived for another two weeks but while she was dying, she would fight with our living relatives to get out of the way because she was talking to someone. She talked to several people and it was even discovered that she was talking to her first husband that was killed in wwII. She would not die and kept asking where my dad and I were. My grandparents were not religious people but they did have a Catholic priest there and a picture of Christ by her bedside. One time when she was talking, my aunt asked her who she was talking to and she pointed to the picture of Christ. Finally my dad and I went to go see her and the very night we got there she fially died.
Sorry for the novel, but I love to share these.

[NyssaTheHobbit]

This thread is just what I need, I think:

http://www.christianforums.com/t4556415-spiritual-intervention-or-coincidence.html

I still have "issues" with praying to or asking for the prayers of the Saints, and it's one of those issues that stands between me and becoming Orthodox, I think. I literally feel a deadness come over me and my prayers when I come to prayers to the Theotokos or to Saints - not so much during the Liturgy, but on my own at home - something inside of me just clutches up or comes to a halt, and I cannot say the prayers with any sense of belief, if I can even say them at all.

Can some of you elaborate on:

1. How you overcame this issue, if it was an issue for you

2. Examples of what appeared to be - or what you know to be - responses to your prayers/requests to the Saints

I'm still working on feeling fine with it, but I've already started praying to one saint for intercession for headaches. I also mentioned them to my husband and my doctor. We switched the monitor on our computer, which, as it turned out, was dying and giving me motion sickness. The doctor says I probably have migraines, and told me what OTC medications work best. Is that a result of the saint's intercession, or of my talking to people about the headaches, or both? In any case, before I asked for the intercession, I had awful headaches. Now, steps are being taken to get rid of the headaches. Maybe it's synergy. :)

[Dust and Ashes]

Can some of you elaborate on:

1. How you overcame this issue, if it was an issue for you

2. Examples of what appeared to be - or what you know to be - responses to your prayers/requests to the Saints

1. It wasn't really an issue for me, just something totally unfamiliar. I was pretty much ready to accept anything the Church taught once I was convinced the Orthodox Church was the Church.

2. My wife chose St. Anna as her patron (or matron?) Saint because of all the trouble we have had with miscarriages and conception. She felt St. Anna could particularly sympathize with being childless and that her prayers would be earnest and effective.

An example?

Just look at my sig.

God is wonderful in His Saints. :crosseo:

[Annabel Lee]

At risk of sounding like a flake.

11 years ago my mother had died suddenly of a heart attack, no warning at all. Five months later my 90 year old grandmother was on her death bed.

My uncle (her son) had arranged to have a feeding tube put in, which was against her wishes. My sister (an RN) and I were against it. It just seemed cruel, but he in his grief couldn't see that.

On Christmas Eve, I had visited her in the nursing home and held her hand, came home and did all the Christmas Eve type things.
After midnight, the house was quiet, (not a creature was stirring not even a mouse) I walked into the kitchen and leaned against the counter and prayed, maybe prayer isn't the correct word since I wasn't any kind of Christian, not even a theist.
Okay, I begged and pleaded quietly for my mother to help my grandmother die in peace.

At that point everything changed, almost like I wasn't in the kitchen anymore. There was a light but it wasn't really a light more of a illumination? Don't know how to explain it. And then there was peacefulness.
Total peace.

A few hours later my uncle called to tell me that my grandmother had died peacefully in her sleep.
I always believed it was my mother that had reached out her hand to my grandmother. Now I don't know what the EO stance on it would be but it's something I know and feel. My mother was there in the kitchen with me.

My sister, who is a non-denominational, said it was the Holy Spirit. Even though my prayer was directed to my mother, the Holy Spirit intervened.

But anyway, it was a beautiful Christmas. It felt like both of those woman were with us that day.

[The Virginian]

Okay my husband is very skeptical when it comes to spiritual interevention, but this has got him freaked out.
My husband will be losing his job come April 1st due to his company losing their contract. My husband has a few interviews in Denver and we are faced with the fact that we might have to move to Denver. However, one of these interviews is for a teaching job in Japan and if I've never mentioned before, my husband's whole purpose of living is to move to Japan and we've had to put it off so many times due to pregnancy (we were going to go last time even though I was pregnant, but then found out it was twins, so we stayed and our priest believed it was God putting a huge monkey-wrench in our plans ). Anyways this job in Japan doesn't pay much more than what he is making now, but we could both get jobs teaching English privately. My husband has been really depressed at the thought of losing his job so I told him we need to start praying to St Xenia since I read somewhere she was the patron saint of hardship (I think I read it on here somewhere).We started doing that and last night I got a call from him and he was almost shaken because he realized that his interview for this Japan job is the same exact day of the feast day of St Xenia. He now thinks that this is not just happening because this job would open up only a week of losing his current job.
What do you think? Is it possible?

I don't know that I would call it spiritual intervention; but the truth of resurrection. All this other stuff was in place long ago. Until something is placed in the hands of God, and allowed to die, it will never bring forth fruit. One can try to accomplish a dream in, or through, their own connections; however, life only comes from the hand of God. This I know from personal experience.

an sinful and unworthy servant