Image by Cailin Valente
At the end of my day, no matter how tired I am from the work and constant motion of the day’s events, I make a point to say “goodnight” to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament in the chapel of our missionary house. One night recently, I was making my goodnight greeting to Jesus and it was pretty late into the night, almost into the morning hours. Despite the fatigue I felt in every muscle and the burning feeling in my eyes which just wanted to close, a quiet and overwhelming wave of joy and love engulfed me in the intimate silence of those minutes with God. Though my brain typically shuts down in the midst of such fatigue, I found it suddenly very easy to listen to Him as He revealed His love for me. Grace.
Do you hear the Lord calling you to prayer during your day? It could be late at night/early morning, like the prophet, Samuel. Whether you’re working at home or at your workplace, perhaps you feel that tug in your soul to put down your work for a short while and be with God in prayer.
Like the author of Psalm 63 and Prophet Samuel, we must find a quiet place to hear God’s message when He calls to prayer.
When you hear His call, don’t cover your ears and forget it! I have done that way too many times, and it never bears fruit for me or others. When you hear the call, if you can stop what you’re doing at the moment to go to the quiet “inner room” of your heart, do it! Even better if you can physically move to a quiet place for a few minutes.
If you are not able to stop, then bring God to the forefront of your mind and heart and offer your work and all you are to Him in that moment. Even if you don’t think of Him consciously after that moment, He is still with you. Thus, your work and life have become a prayer in praise of Him.
These practices I have learned from great spiritual masters, like Blessed Teresa of Calcutta and Saint Maximilian Kolbe, who lived even busier lives than most people. Yet they found quiet times for prayer, and made their entire lives a prayer.
My sisters in Christ, I encourage you always to take the invitation from God to prayer when you become aware of it during your day. If you seek Him with your whole heart, He will give you the grace you need to find Him in prayer. And coming to Him in prayer, He will quiet you and shield you in the “shadow of His wings” that your heart may be full and “shout with joy”.
Because
He is your joy, your peace, your love. “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.”
