I read a story recently about Francis of Assisi who was overheard by a brother who watched this great Christian in prayer, and he overheard Francis pray these words over and over again: “Who are You, Lord my God, and who am I?” This prayer, and these two (2) questions constitute such a fundamental prayer in the Christian life. This prayer pushes me into both the deep and seemingly bottomless chasm of my own heart and soul, and into the deep and seemingly bottomless chasm of the nature of God. It seems to me that when we consider carefully, honestly, and deeply who we are and who God is, we begin to touch the profound mystery and grace of our own identity and purpose as well as who God is. I think this is the aim of prayer and of life. Brother Francis has taught us something indescribably helpful about prayer. In fact, he has taught us how to pray. If you look carefully at the Lord’s prayer, you can see this pray divided into these two great questions. The first half attends to the nature of God while the second half reveals the deep nature of our soul.
What I like about this prayer of Francis is that it is steeped in open-ended questions, rather than in sure and certain statements. We come to God in this prayer wondering, asking, exploring, and in search of the great questions of life. This leaves us hungering to return to prayer again. And that’s a beautiful thing. This prayer of Francis requires that we come to prayer as a humble person in search of God who calls us to trust Him —
completely — daily — truthfully. This is the kind of prayer that God loves to answer, and in fact has already answered in our hearts, time and time again. Haven’t we all received answers from God, insights or epiphanies, moments in our brief lives when we “saw” something of the true nature of God? Hasn’t God already leaned in and kissed our foreheads? Hasn’t God already embraced us with His everlasting love? Hasn’t God bestowed on us all moments of His amazing grace? And haven’t these moments revealed to us something about who we are and who God is?
Is not life an invitation from God to ask continuously these question which He has already begun to answer?
Let us pray, then, Who are You, Lord my God, and who am I?
From the Bible:
“3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls” 1 Peter 1:3-9.
“17 If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. 20 For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you 21 who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God” 1 Peter 1:17-21.
“Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, 2 like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, 3 if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord” 1 Peter 2:1-3.
“9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy”
1 Peter 2:9-10.
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