“The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds.” — Sirach 35:17
Are you in a fog? Is your mind cloudy and confused? Do you feel as if there’s heavy cloud-cover when you pray? Even if you are praying in the clouds, you can pierce the clouds, come out of the fog, and come into the light when you:
> serve God (Sir 35:16). Rejoice to be a slave of Jesus (Col 3:24) — to do His will, not yours.
> serve God willingly (Sir 35:16). Go beyond Sunday obligation and a minimalist, mediocre Christianity.
“Everyone must give according to what he has inwardly decided; not sadly, not grudgingly, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor 9:7).
> become lowly (Sir 35:17). Repent of pharisaic arrogance (Lk 18:11), beat your breast, and pray: “O God, be merciful to me, a sinner” (Lk 18:13).
The lowly, willing servant of God has a love for God and a faith in Him that can shake and transform the world. The prayer of a servant of God “is powerful indeed” (Jas 5:16). Decide to become a lowly, willing servant of God. Pray with Mary: “I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you say” (Lk 1:38).
PRAYER: Father, do in me what You must in order to do through me what You will.
PROMISE: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on a merited crown awaits me; on that Day the Lord, just Judge that He is, will award it to me — and not only to me, but to all who have looked for His appearing with eager longing.” —2 Tm 4:7-8
PRAISE “No one can come to Me unless the Father Who sent Me draws him; I will raise him up on the last day” (Jn 6:44). Alleluia! Thank You, risen Jesus.
Reference:
(From a reflection by a member of the editorial team of the late Fr Al Lauer’s Presentation Ministries)
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John Portelli
