In the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weakness so that the power of
Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2Corinthians 12:8-10
"When I was young, I would say to myself: perhaps one day I shall do something good; but now that I am old, I see that there is nothing good about me."
Abba Matoes, a teacher of spirituality in the Early Church
Benedicta Ward trans., The Sayings of the Desert Fathers (London and Oxford: Mobray, 1980), 143.
As human beings, especially as Americans, we pride ourselves in growth and self-achievement. Pulling ourselves up by our own bootstraps is something that we are taught at an early age is a quality to instill in ourselves. Self-reliance, not depending on others when we can do it ourselves is how we are best to live our lives. That way we have no one to blame but ourselves when things go wrong and no one to exalt except ourselves when all is progressing forward. However, when it comes to our walk in faith, our life as a Christian, our growth in spirituality, it is exactly the opposite that we are to cultivate.
In his book Grace Upon Grace, in the chapter titled "The Mystery of Christ" author John W. Kleinig relates that one of the blessings that comes from the grace of God through Christ in our lives is the realization that without the grace of God we can do nothing. Without the grace of God we cannot be saved, we cannot please God, we cannot do anything according to God's will, we cannot grow in faith and spirituality. Abba Matoes realized this late in his life as did Martin Luther on his death bed when, while pondering his life achievements and the impending end of his life said, "We are but beggars, this is true." He knew that if there were any hope for him once he left this life it is but by the grace and mercy of God. He also knew that all he had accomplished in this life was but by the grace and mercy of God. When it comes down to it, living well, and dying well is a matter living a life of receptive spirituality, of receiving from the Lord that which He has set aside for each of us as blessings.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons (daughters) through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and on earth." Ephesians 1:3-10
It is so obvious that we will suffer trials and tribulations in this life. What we do with them is our choice. Will we learn from the Lord to depend on Him, to trust Him, to obey Him? Or will we instead blame the Lord for what is ultimately our shortcomings, our sins and refuse His grace, mercy, peace, and all the other spiritual blessings He has set aside for us before the very foundation of the world was set?
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God has prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10
It was once said that patience is a virtue. This is true. However, it is not a virtue that we cultivate on our own. Patience is learning how to wait on the Lord. Patience is learning how to depend on the Lord. Patience is learning how to receive from the Lord what He has to give to us when He decides to give it. Patience is also learning how to be content in all situations, knowing that the Lord is always with us and always gives to us all we need to not only survive the current situation but to thrive in and through it.
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.
O Lord hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy.
If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than the watchman for the morning, more than the watchman for the morning.
O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption.
And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities. Psalm 130
Eternal Father of my soul, let my first thought today be of Thee, let my first impulse be to worship Thee, let my first speech be Thy name, let my first action be to kneel before Thee in prayer.
For Thy perfect wisdom and perfect goodness:
For the love wherewith Thou lovest mankind:
For the love wherewith Thou lovest me:
For the great and mysterious opportunity of my life:
For the indwelling of Thy Spirit in my heart:
For the sevenfold gifts of Thy Spirit:
I praise and worship Thee, O Lord.
Yet let me no, when this morning prayer is said, think my worship ended and spend the day in forgetfulness of Thee. Rather from these moments of quietness let light go forth, and joy, and power, that will remain with me through all the hours of the day;
Keeping me chaste in thought:
Keeping me temperate and truthful in speech:
Keeping me faithful and diligent in my work:
Keeping me humble in my estimation of myself:
Keeping me honourable and generous in my dealings with others:
Keeping me loyal to every hallowed memory of the past:
Keeping me mindful of my eternal destiny as a child of Thine.
O God, who hast been the Refuge of my fathers through many generations, be my Refuge today in every time and circumstance of need. Be my guide through all that is dark and doubtful. Be my Guard against all that threatens my spirit's welfare. Be my Strength in time of testing. Gladden my heart with Thy peace; through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.
Morning prayer for the first day of the month from: A Diary of Private Prayer by John Baillie.
God's grace, mercy and peace be with you all. Amen
In the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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