Thursday, Fifth Week of Lent

THURSDAY, FIFTH WEEK OF LENT

Prayer is Childlike, not Childish

Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually. Psalm 105:4

The prayer of little faith is where you hold fast to the concrete or the present situation in order to win a certain security. In prayer of little faith, you aim at getting what you ask for, any way you can, instead of being directed toward the person who might or might not be able to make that wish come true. The man or woman of little faith prays like a child who wants a present from Santa Claus, but who becomes frightened and runs away as soon as he gets his hands on the package. He would rather have nothing more to do with the old bearded gentleman. All the attention is on the gift and none on the one who gives it. It’s as though you were putting on blinders and your spiritual life is reduced to a beeline toward what you want.

Lord, most of my life prayer has meant begging for gifts I want. Teach me to focus on you, the giver of gifts.

Henri J. M. Nouwen

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