10 This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” (Jeremiah 29:10 – 14, New International Version)
Theme: Discipleship
Context:
Yesterday we went back to the 4th century AD to reflect on Saint Augustine’s thoughts on prayer and faith. Your comments were stimulating. Thanks!
Today we’ll move forward a few centuries into the Middle Ages. There we encounter another disciple of Jesus who thought deeply about prayer. Saint Anselm of Canterbury (1033 – 1109) was a noted theologian, monk, and archbishop who is renowned for his arguments for the existence of God. He is also known for his written prayers and meditations. One of Saint Anselm’s prayers provides a powerful reminder of a key dynamic in prayer, a deepening relationship between God and those who seek Him:
O my God, teach my heart where and how to seek You, where and how to find You. You are my God and You are my all and I have never seen You. You have made me and remade me, You have bestowed on me all the good things I possess, Still I do not know You. I have not yet done that for which I was made. Teach me to seek You. I cannot seek You unless You teach me or find You unless You show Yourself to me. Let me seek You in my desire, let me desire You in my seeking. Let me find You by loving You, let me love You when I find You. Amen
Saint Anselm’s prayer reveals a very passionate interaction with God. The references to seeking and finding point to a relationship that is being deepened in prayer.
Bible Passage:
Our Scripture passage today describes how God spoke to the Children of Israel while they were exiles in Babylon. Please note the intimacy expressed through the references to seeking and finding.
Question:
In what ways do you experience a deepening of your relationship with God in prayer?
Sharing your thoughts could be a big help to someone else. Please leave a comment on the blog.