Practicing the Presence of God: Difference between revisions
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* "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_Prayer] | * "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_Prayer] | ||
== Brother Lawrence == | == Brother Lawrence == | ||
* http://www.practicegodspresence.com/brotherlawrence/index.html ''The Practice of the Presence of God.''] | * [http://www.practicegodspresence.com/brotherlawrence/index.html ''The Practice of the Presence of God.''] | ||
:"To practice the presence of God in the Brother Lawrence tradition we walk before God simply, in faith, with humility, and with love. We engage in a continual, silent, and affectionate conversation with Our Father. Out of love for Him, we strive to do nothing and think nothing which may displease God."[http://www.practicegodspresence.com/index.html] | :"To practice the presence of God in the Brother Lawrence tradition we walk before God simply, in faith, with humility, and with love. We engage in a continual, silent, and affectionate conversation with Our Father. Out of love for Him, we strive to do nothing and think nothing which may displease God."[http://www.practicegodspresence.com/index.html] | ||
Revision as of 17:32, 16 January 2011
We are like God, but God is not like us.
Our ability to focus on others in our life is limited. If we give our time and attention to one person, we exclude all of the other people in our life at that time.
God is infinite in all perfections and is outside of time.
God can give undivided, personal attention to each one of His children without taking anything away from any of His other children.
God is with us every moment of every day of our lives--"24 x 7 x 365."
Attentiveness to others wearies us. Sooner or later we need to rest from our labors of love.
God is never wearied by His love for us. He has infinite resources at His disposal.
We are burdened by concupiscence, unconscious motives, and wounds from our past.
God is free from the effects of sin. He has no unconscious drives and no unhealthy patterns in His relationships. His love and His judgments are always free, gracious, magnanimous, compassionate, and completely reliable.
We sometimes find the attention of others--even others whom we love--somewhat oppressive. There are times when we want to be left alone, whether we are in joy or sorrow.
God's presence is never oppressive. God does not take hostages. He does not manipulate us to act against our own will or to suppress our true self.
The Jesus Prayer
- "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."[1]
Brother Lawrence
- "To practice the presence of God in the Brother Lawrence tradition we walk before God simply, in faith, with humility, and with love. We engage in a continual, silent, and affectionate conversation with Our Father. Out of love for Him, we strive to do nothing and think nothing which may displease God."[2]
Momentary prayers
There are hundreds, if not thousands, of short prayers in the Catholic tradition that we can use to remind us of God's presence and action in our daily life. The only take a moment to say and can be said repeatedly (as with the Jesus Prayer). Feel free to make up your own momentary prayers and use them as much as you find helpful.
- "Jesus, I trust in you."
- "Jesus, Mary, and Joseph."
- "I adore you, O Christ, and I bless you, because by your Holy Cross you are redeeming me."
" "My Jesus, mercy!"