The Power Of Prayer

	Adrian was very sad. Jonas, a classmate from school, was constantly bullying him. He would make fun of him, for anything he would make a fist wishing to hit him, treat him poorly and speak ill of him to the other classmates, among other things. Adrian, although he was a good and peaceful kid, was troubled by the behavior of his classmate. His friends also felt angry
about the situation and one day one of them asked:

- Adrian, why don't you complain to the teacher? If it does not work, take it to the school board. Jonas has to stop it! Just because he is bigger and older, he thinks he can do anything?

But Adrian replied:

- I cannot. If I speak with the teacher, she will tell him off and Jonas will not forgive me. He will come to fight me and I do not want that to happen. I do not like fighting. I want to live in peace with everyone! He will end up understanding, I'm sure.

- It is up to you, but I think Jonas needs a lesson.

However, the situation was worsening every day and Adrian could not stand the pressure of his classmate on him.

One day, Adrian arrived at home sad and with his head down. Grandmother Marie, sitting on the porch, saw her grandson and got worried.

- What happened that you are so sad? - she asked.

The boy sat down next to his grandmother and said:

- Grandma, I have a classmate who is always bullying me. I can't take it anymore and do not know what to do!

- Have you told your mother, Adrian?

- I can't, Grandma. If I tell her, my mom will complain to the school and create an even bigger problem because Jonas will know, and I will I suffer!

- I understand – said the grandmother thoughtfully, then she gave a suggestion - Adrian, did you know that we have great strength within us and that it can be used without problems?

- What is it, Grandma?! - asked the boy, eyes wide and bright.

- Through prayer you can overcome Jonas' animosity. Every time you think of him, say a prayer asking Jesus to help.

- Is that it, Grandma?

- Yes. Soon you will notice changes in his behavior. But say your prayers with love, involving Jonas
with kindness. Talk with him mentally.

- And what do I tell him, Grandma?!

- Tell Jonas you like him, that you want to have him as a friend... whatever your heart tells you. Got it?

- Got it, Grandma. Thank you.

From that day on, every time he said his prayers before bed and upon waking up, Adrian remembered Jonas in his requests to Jesus. But, like grandma taught him, during the day whenever he thought of him, he would emit a thought of affection addressed to his brawler peer. Adrian began to feel that, with this change, he himself was much better, more joyful, serene and humorous. At school, the behavior of Jonas was also different, who no longer harassed him, merely looking at him from a distance.

One day, Adrian was buying popcorn and Jonas was standing next to the popcorn stall.

When the vendor handed him the bag of popcorn, he noticed that it was not what he had ordered.

- I ordered sweet popcorn, not salty – he explained.

The vendor apologized for having made the mistake.

- Do not worry. This bag must be mine! - said Jonas right then, looking at Adrian with a friendly expression.

They exchanged bags and Jonas thanked him as he start a conversation with Adrian.

They ended up sitting together to eat popcorn and talked a lot. They did not touch on the issue of the antagonism between them, since it was not necessary. Jonas treated him as if they had always been good friends.

At a distance, the friends of both were surprised with such a natural and calm conversation and approached them, just in time to hear Jonas say to Adrian:

- Adrian, would you join our football team?

- Of course! I am very happy because I really like to play football!

- So, it's settled. We practice on Saturdays at eight o'clock.

That day Adrian returned home feeling happier than he had ever felt in his life. Seeing his grandmother on the porch, he opened the gate and ran to her:

- Grandma! Grandma! You won't believe what happened! Jonas is now my friend and invited me to play in his football team!

- Didn't I tell you, Adrian? Congratulations, dear! You must really have prayed a lot! - she said smiling.

At lunchtime, when they were all seated at the table, Adrian's mother commented that a neighbor had looked at her in an angry way, for no reason.

Adrian at the same time exchanged a glance with his grandmother and recommended:

- Mom, say prayers for her. They work like a charm!

MEIMEI

(Psychographed by Celia X. de Camargo on 09/16/2013.)