Monday, August 25, 2014

Ask, Search, Knock (Monday Morning in the Desert)

Today's reflection comes from an anonymous Carthusian monk, regarding perseverance in prayer:

“Once we have understood that God is disposed towards us as a father, confident perseverance in prayer is a natural consequence.
‘Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.  For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.’ (Luke 11:9-10).
The one who gives and opens is God. Ask, search, knock. Ask for everything, ask for the Spirit, seek God, knock at the door of the Kingdom (‘Lord, open to us,’ 12:25-7).  Knock at the door which is Christ, he who is the way to the Father; through his wounds we have access to the Father, who, the first, is seeking after us in his Son. ‘Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come to you and eat with you, and you with me’ (Revelation 3:20). So, when I pray, my prayer is only an echo of God’s prayer.  In that case, how could he refuse, refuse himself? What a mystery prayer is.”
(From “Interior Prayer” by a Carthusian, p. 29)
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2 comments:

  1. It seems like from reading this that God's answer to our prayers is Himself. God's presence and fellowship is his answer. How could we want more?

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  2. Very true, Bob! My son just began college at a Benedictine school in South Dakota, and at the orientation, they emphasized the importance of being aware of the presence of God at all times. By the way, I've enjoyed your pictures and stories of your journey to Wyoming.

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