This morning as I was picking up the newspapers to take them to recycling, I ran across a sheet of paper where I had taken some notes from an inspirational program I was watching on television. I had written down, "Pray for divine connections."
I love the Prayer of St. Francis, "Lord make me an instrument of thy peace." I have prayed it many times, asking God to use me as an instrument of his work. Likewise, I know that he has put people in my life, some momentarily, some for long-term, who are his instruments for speaking to me and helping me to better understand myself. Sometimes, I have done the work to "seek out" these people -- trusted servants such as therapists, a sponsor, recovery friends. Others, like the woman I spoke to yesterday in the online meeting, just appear.
This morning I pray:
"Lord, my life is yours, and I need the guidance of your wisdom today and each day.
Show me your strength, your beauty, your wisdom and your love in others and show yourself to them through me.
Open my heart, open my mind and let me lay down my weakened ego, so that I can feel and experience the daily gifts of connection you create for me.
When someone touches my hand or touches my heart, let me know that it is you. When someone opens their heart to me, let me know you have sent me a gift. When I feel fear and frustration, shame and guilt, come to me in stillness or with wild fire or a simple scene that assures me you are there.
As the wind blows, let me feel your presence, as the rain falls, let me feel your tender gentleness, and as laughter wells up in me, let me feel your love surrounding my soul, offering me divine connection too all that is in you, and all that is in me."
Still here …
5 years ago
Posts
3 comments:
I love your posts. They help me a lot.
your prayer comes from the heart.
your post reminded me of one my favorite Mary Oliver poems.
"Praying"
It doesn't have to be
the blue iris, it could be
weeds in a vacant lot, or a few
small stones; just
pat attention, then patch
a few words together and don't try
to make them elaborate, this isn't
a contest but the doorway
into thanks, and a silence in which
another voice may speak
Your post made me think of the prayer of Thomas Merton:
My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself,
and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean
that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that my desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything
apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always
though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me
to face my perils alone.
Post a Comment