the battle of praying more, part 4
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, To overcome these obstacles [to pray], we must battle to gain humility, trust, and perseverance. (2728)
Last time we talked about humility, this week we're focusing on section III - FILIAL TRUST.
Some excerpts from paragraph numbers 2734-2741 - bold/underline added by me:
Filial trust is tested - it proves itself - in tribulation. The principal difficulty concerns the prayer of petition, for oneself or for others in intercession. Some even stop praying because they think their petition is not heard.
Let's get real…
I am going through a remarkably difficult time in my personal life. I have a family member who is struggling greatly and I am their primary support person. I think it's the hardest thing I've ever experienced. It is emotionally exhausting. And it's seemingly never-ending.
Boy am I praying. Begging. Asking God to intervene.
And struggling with the why…
…we ought to be astonished by this fact: when we praise God or give him thanks for his benefits in general, we are not particularly concerned whether or not our prayer is acceptable to him. On the other hand, we demand to see the results of our petitions.
Our Father knows what we need before we ask him, but he awaits our petition because the dignity of his children lies in their freedom. We must pray, then, with his Spirit of freedom, to be able truly to know what he wants.
Why is this happening? Why is God allowing the events to come together in this way? Why is He “making it worse” with everything causing more suffering? Why doesn't He make things fall into place?
This huge part of my struggle is because I just can't. let. go. of. “control." I put that word in quotation marks, because I know that my control is an illusion. God is really in control (as it should be).
But I'm scared. Scared I won't get the answer I want. Scared of what the future looks like if it doesn't go the way I think it should.
I am asking the Holy Spirit for guidance. That God's will be done (open and close the doors, Lord!).
Praying for His will, but secretly “knowing” the right answer.
Lord, my Your will be done!
He yearns jealously over the spirit which he has made to dwell in us…
That our God is “jealous” for us is the sign of how true his love is. If we enter into the desire of his Spirit, we shall be heard.
Do not be troubled if you do not immediately receive from God what you ask him; for he desires to do something even greater for you, while you cling to him in prayer.
I am clinging to Him in prayer, but my trust is definitely being tested.
Losing hope one day, but renewed with resolve the next.
Jesus, I trust in You!
But ultimately the answer to my struggle is…
Our filial trust is enkindled by his supreme act: the Passion and Resurrection of his Son. Christian prayer is cooperation with his providence, his plan of love for men.
JESUS.
Jesus also prays for us - in our place and on our behalf. All our petitions were gathered up, once for all, in his cry on the Cross and, in his Resurrection, heard by the Father. This is why he never ceases to intercede for us with the Father.
If our prayer is resolutely united with that of Jesus, in trust and boldness as children, we obtain all that we ask in his name, even more than any particular thing: the Holy Spirit himself, who contains all gifts.
…even more than any particular thing…
I may not get the right answer - I mean - the answer I want. That needs to be ok. I feel like the Lord is telling me this: strive to have resignation to My will.
He knows better!! And wavering in my trust is obstructing my prayers.
I found this quote from Pope Francis that I think says it perfectly:
"Trusting in God means to enter into his designs without demanding anything, even accepting that his salvation and his help should come to us in a different way from our expectations."
So if you're struggling like me, you're not alone! My prayer for you (and me) is PEACE and TRUST. Strive to let go of your expectations and demand nothing. Remember who is in charge! And remember He orders everything for our greater good.
Let's boldly TRUST and remember the answer to everything is JESUS.
My encouragement for you (and me!) to seek the sacred this week:
Litany of Trust
written by the Sisters of Life
From the belief that I have to earn Your love
Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear that I am unlovable
Deliver me, Jesus.
From the false security that I have what it takes
Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear that trusting You will leave me more destitute
Deliver me, Jesus.
From all suspicion of Your words and promises
Deliver me, Jesus.
From the rebellion against childlike dependency on You
Deliver me, Jesus.
From refusals and reluctances in accepting Your will
Deliver me, Jesus.
From anxiety about the future
Deliver me, Jesus.
From resentment or excessive preoccupation with the past
Deliver me, Jesus.
From restless self-seeking in the present moment
Deliver me, Jesus.
From disbelief in Your love and presence
Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being asked to give more than I have
Deliver me, Jesus.
From the belief that my life has no meaning or worth
Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of what love demands
Deliver me, Jesus.
From discouragement
Deliver me, Jesus.
That You are continually holding me, sustaining me, loving me
Jesus, I trust in You.
That Your love goes deeper than my sins and failings and transforms me
Jesus, I trust in You.
That not knowing what tomorrow brings is an invitation to lean on You
Jesus, I trust in You.
That You are with me in my suffering
Jesus, I trust in You.
That my suffering, united to Your own, will bear fruit in this life and the next
Jesus, I trust in You.
That You will not leave me orphan, that You are present in Your Church
Jesus, I trust in You.
That Your plan is better than anything else
Jesus, I trust in You.
That You always hear me and in Your goodness always respond to me
Jesus, I trust in You.
That You give me the grace to accept forgiveness and to forgive others
Jesus, I trust in You.
That You give me all the strength I need for what is asked
Jesus, I trust in You.
That my life is a gift
Jesus, I trust in You.
That You will teach me to trust You
Jesus, I trust in You.
That You are my Lord and my God
Jesus, I trust in You.
That I am Your beloved one
Jesus, I trust in You.
Amen.
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