We have spoke often lately of the goal and focus of the spiritual life, and it remains constantly and forever the pursuit of the love of God. About the spiritual life, that is clear. If we step back as the philosopher and ask the question on, what is the purpose of life?, the answer lies simply and unarguably in the pursuit of the love of God. Another way of speaking this same central and universal truth is to acknowledge this: In life we must all renounce and avoid at all costs everything that does not lead us to Jesus Christ. So prayer, such a great gift of God, is nothing more than our continual, daily conversation with God. Prayer as conversation, then, means we are to listen attentively and lovingly to the voice of God, and to speak easily and with great brevity to Him who know already knows every thought we have ever had and will ever have. Thus, the spiritual life is all about recognizing and falling in love with the Presence of God and lifting up our hearts to Him whenever He comes into our minds.
Ha! Let that be our prayer right now!
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.
From the Bible:
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice” Philippians 4:4.
“But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us”
Romans 5:8.
“We love because he first loved us” 1 John 4:19.
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love” 1 John 4:18.
“So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in you”1 John 4:16.
“In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” 1 John 4:10.
“Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love”1 John 4:8.
“Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful” James 5:11.
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