Leave the Rest Up to God

Think

"I think there is no suffering greater than what is caused by the doubts of those who want to believe. I know what torment this is, but I can only see it, in myself anyway, as the process by which faith is deepened. A faith that just accepts is a child's faith and all right for children, but eventually you have to grow religiously as every other way, though some never do.

What people don't realize is how much religion costs. They think faith is a big electric blanket, when of course it is the cross. It is much harder to believe than not to believe. If you feel you can't believe, you must at least do this: keep an open mind. Keep it open toward faith, keep wanting it, keep asking for it, and leave the rest to God. " ~Flannery O'Connor from The Habit of Being: Letters of Flannery O'Connor

Pray

Lord, I believe:
Help my unbelief.  Let my faith grow in its fullness and push away all the doubts in my mind. Let knowing You permeate my every thought. God, please grant me a joyful faith, one that sings with gladness and grants abundant peace to my soul. And when things get tough, make Yourself obvious to me. Hold me closer so that I don't falter. Give me a spirit of humility, always knowing how much I need you and always certain that You will provide according to my genuine necessity. 

Act

Flannery O'Connor's reference to electric blankets got me thinking. It's time to bless our families with blankets on the beds and warm clothing. For most of us, this is the time tackle the seasonal clothing switch. How can you offer warmth to the people you love today? 

~*~*~*~

I like to pray when I run in the morning. Often, I listen to Divine Office and pray Morning Prayer or the Office of Readings. Then, I just take up a conversation with God. I'd love to pray for you! Please leave your prayer requests below and we can pray for each other, no matter how we spend our morning prayer time. Meet me back here tomorrow and I'll share the ponderings from my morning run.