Pray Without Ceasing 3/13 Tuesday Truth

"Rejoice always" in uninterrupted happiness in God. "Pray without ceasing," which is the fruit of "always rejoicing" in the Lord. "In everything give thanks," which is the fruit of both the former. This is Christian perfection. Further than this we cannot go, and we need not stop short of it.

. . .
Prayer may be said to be the breath of our spiritual life. One who lives cannot possibly cease breathing. So much as we really enjoy of God's presence, so much prayer and praise do we offer up "without ceasing"' else our rejoicing is but delusion.

-- John Wesley

Intro to John Wesley 3/12 Monday meditation

For the next few days I'm going to be quoting from John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church. He is known in a practical sense for teaching his followers to have a "methodical" lifestyle of devotions, self-examination, and service. He is known theologically for introducing The Doctrine of Christian Perfection, which we would call sanctification. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wesley


The description of the whole armor of God shows us how great a thing it is to be a Christian. The lack of one thing makes us incomplete. Though one has his loins girded, has on the breastplate, his feet shod, the shield of faith, and sword of the Spirit, yet one more thing is needed: praying always. At all times and occasions, in the midst of all actions, inwardly "praying without ceasing." "By the Spirit" -- through the influence of the Holy Spirit. "With all prayer" -- all sorts of prayer: public, private, mental, vocal. . . Some use only mental prayer, thinking it is a way of worship superior to any other. But it requires far more grace to be enabled to pour out a fervent and continued prayer than to offer up mental aspirations. . . .

Perhaps we receive few answers to prayer because we do not intercede enough for others.

Worship God in Truth 3/8 Thursday Thoughts

To worship GOD in truth is to acknowledge Him to be what He is, and ourselves as what in very fact we are. To worship Him in truth is to acknowledge with heart-felt sincerity what GOD in truth is, -- that is to say, infinitely perfect, worthy of infinite adoration, infinitely removed from sin, and so of all the Divine attributes. That man is little guided by reason, who does not employ all his powers to render to this great GOD the worship that is His due.


-- Brother Lawrence

Wandering in Prayer 3/7 Wednesday Wisdom

Eighth Letter: Concerning Wandering Thoughts in Prayer


I do not advise you to use multiplicity of words in prayer, many words and long discourses being often the occasion of wandering. Hold yourself in prayer before God like a dumb or paralytic beggar at a rich man's gate. Let it be your business to keep your mind in the presence of the Lord. If it sometimes wander and withdraw itself from Him, do not much disquiet yourself for that. . .

Being accustomed to think of Him often, you will find it easy to keep your mind calm in the time of prayer, or at least to recall it from its wanderings.

-- Brother Lawrence

Holy Exercise 3/6 Tuesday Truth

from the "Third Letter" to a friend by Brother Lawrence:


Let him then think of God the most [often] he can. Let him accustom himself, by degrees, to this small but holy exercise. No one will notice it, and nothing is easier than to repeat often in the day these little internal adorations. Recommend to him, if you please, that he think of God the most he can, in the manner here directed. It is very fit and most necessary for a soldier who is daily exposed to the dangers of life.

Little Things for God 3/5 Monday Meditation

You will recall that Brother Lawrence was a 17th Century French monk whose job was working in the kitchen of the monastery. He enjoyed the continual presence of God, regardless of whatever he might be doing.




For me the time of action does not differ from the time of prayer, and in the noise and clatter of my kitchen, while several persons are together calling for as many different things, I possess GOD in as great tranquility as when upon my knees at the Blessed Sacrament.
. . .
Nor is it needful that we should have great things to do. We can do little things for GOD; I turn the cake that is frying on the pan for the love of Him. . . It is enough for me to pick up but a straw from the ground for the love of GOD.

-- Brother Lawrence

Attaining Unto the Presence of God 3/2 Friday Faith

ON MEANS FOR ATTAINING UNTO THE PRESENCE OF GOD


1. The first is the great purity of life; in guarding ourselves with care lest we should do or say or think on anything, which might be displeasing to GOD; and, when any such thing happens, in taking heed to repent thereof, humbly begging His forgiveness.

2. The second is a great faithfulness in the practice of His Presence, and in keeping the soul's gaze fixed on GOD in faith, calmly, humbly, lovingly, without allowing an entrance to anxious cares and disquietude.

 3. Make it your study, before taking up any task to look to GOD, be it only for a moment, as also when you are engaged therein, and lastly when you have performed the same. . . Truly this habit can only be formed with difficulty, yet when it is so formed, how great will be your joy therein.

-- Brother Lawrence