If you search in the darkest parts

of the ache

and keep vigil,

watching,

waiting,

opening your heart in prayer …

inviting Love

to work Her glorious way through

everything else going on in there …

one day,

you’ll notice

something that shimmers

in the shadows,

a glitter,

a gold,

a presence,

a peace,

a power

that can illuminate your path and guide you

ever more deeply

into the mystery

of Light.

One day, you’ll discover

the joy

that will carry you home.

“God speaks in the silence of the heart. Listening is the beginning of prayer.”
– Saint Teresa of Calcutta

In times of heartache, it can be tempting to avoid the silence of contemplative prayer. With the availability of Netflix, consumerism and overindulgence of food and drink, there are many ways to avoid what we’re really feeling, which would be great! Except it’s in the messiness of our human struggles, where we find God’s love waiting for us with truth, comfort, healing, grace, wisdom, strength, courage and blessings.

Contemplative prayer shines a light in the darkness of our brokenness and allows us to discover God’s love for us in the messiness of our humanity, which ultimately unites us with true freedom and a sense of purpose beyond what any kind of escapism or avoidance ever can.

If you’re going through a rough patch in life and find yourself tempted to avoid prayer, I encourage you to persevere! In the silence of seeking Him, you’ll find the Christ waiting to illuminate your path with love

Are you struggling to persevere in prayer through a time of heartache? Comment below, and I’ll be delighted to keep you in my thoughts prayers.

Lord give us the grace to persevere in prayer, even when it causes us to confront difficult thoughts, feelings and emotions. Give us the grace of faith to truly believe You are with us in our darkest hours, ready and willing to illuminate our paths with pure love. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen.

 

written by Nicky Gant for http://www.uniteinprayer.org 1/3/2020