September 11
Many people bemoan their inability to pray. They
struggle to put their prayer into words, or cannot
find any words at all. Sometimes they have
scarcely begun before they lose the courage
and joy to go on, as if some dark power has
robbed them of all desire to pray and deprived
them of words and thoughts. What advice can
be given to these disheartened people?
For prayer and supplication one's mouth with its
words or head with its thoughts are not always
necessary--one's eyes can also accomplish it.
Direct your eyes to the Lord in trust and with
courage, without saying a word. Or just murmur
as the tax collector did, "God, have mercy on me,
a sinner" (Luke 18:13). This you can do amid all
the rush and work. When you direct your gaze to
God, you will immediately encounter his gaze.
This silent gaze toward the Lord--which is,
indeed, not without thought and certainly not
without heart--is the most powerful prayer we
can make, because in it lies great humility,
modesty, patience, and an awareness of one's
own nothingness before God.
Johann Christoph Blumhardt, from
The Proclamation, Eyes Turned toward the Lord.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Blumhardt's prayer for today and every day of the year.
http://blumhardts.com/bl/DailyPrayer.htm?source=Breakfast
Like what you read today? Share it with a friend.
Send them this URL:
http://blumhardts.com/bl/Subscribe.htm?source=Breakfast
© 2004 Bruderhof Communities.
|
