I'm studying a bit on prayer. I am humbled with how little I get regarding this great mystery and I am reminded that I truly have no idea what it is to be a "praying woman." I hate that my prayer time consists of moments here and there, turning off the radio, praying while I put on make-up, or taking a shower. Now, don't get me wrong, I think the constant communion is a very significant part of being truly connected to Jesus. But what about the monks, the puritans, and people like Luther, Tozer and Spurgeon...they prayed for hours. They taught it AND they lived it. I ask for the Lord to mold and shape prayer into me...I guess after I write this, it would be best to just go do the very thing I am talking about. Here is a prayer by Thomas Merton that I love and relate so much too...enjoy.
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.
- Thomas Merton (1915-1968)
