Ask for the grace

A Production of the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network.

A quote

“Grace is not a strange, magic substance which is subtly filtered into our souls to act as a kind of spiritual penicillin. Grace is unity, oneness within ourselves, oneness with God.” Thomas Merton

Different Graces

There are different types of grace, for different purposes; but all come from God and are gifts given to us to help us in our life. Our focus this week is on actual grace, the help we need right now so whatever difficulty or struggle is taken care of with God’s help. Grace is what makes the impossible, possible.

More thoughts on grace

We cannot store up actual grace; we receive what we need when we need it. Like the manna in the desert, we are given what we need and trust God will provide.

For more information about grace, check out the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1996-2005.

This week, when you are faced with a challenge you don’t know how you will face, pray for grace. Allow God to act in and through you with his gift of grace.

 

The desire to please God

A Production of the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network.

Why Pray

I pray to keep focused. I pray to remind myself that I am not alone. I pray to ask for guidance. And sometimes I pray for direction. Who am I kidding, I pray for that reason lots!

This prayer from Thomas Merton has been in my prayer box for quite some time. Some call it the Prayer of Surrender others of Abandonment. Either way, it is about the idea that while we want very much to do God’s will we don;t always know we are and it’s okay. Our desire, our intention matters. And God knows our intention always.

The Prayer

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 that I am following your will
does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you
and I hope I have that desire in all 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 on 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 struggles alone. Amen.

(Thomas Merton-Trappist Monk)

the not lukewarm challenge

 

This week, pray this prayer as you begin each day. Allow it to comfort and guide you.

 

 

I’d love to have you join me in the LIve NOt LUkewarm with the Sunday Scriptures group. Join my email list or read more about it.