Number 17

Today's rosary is devotion number 17.
Intention: Increase my faith.

Two days ago my intention was to decrease my anxiety. After I prayed this rosary I thought nothing more of it.

I am in the habit of having one drink a day. Not every day, but most days. My choice is usually a double scotch. The drink cuts through my anxiety and helps me to sleep. I realize this is not healthy, but in my defense, I never get drunk, and I never have more than one. Still, the habit does concern me sometimes.

The next night after this intention for less anxiety, I was saying the rosary as usual. Somewhere around the third decade, I realized I had not had my daily nightcap. I had not even thought about it. This was because I felt no anxiety. My prayer had been answered, and I almost did not notice it.

It is easy to say that prayers are not always answered. But I wonder how often a prayer is answered, but in such a subtle way that the supplicant misses it.