Prayer & Praise
I am now about to close my eyelids, Lord, for my eyes this evening have finished their work and will return home, having walked for a day in the garden of men and women.
Thank you, Lord, for my eyes, windows open on the wide world; thank you for their look that carries my soul, as the broad sunbeam carries the light and warmth of your sun.
I pray to you during the night that tomorrow, when I open my eyes to the clear morning, they shall be ready to serve both my soul and my God.
May my eyes be clear and straightforward, Lord, and give others a hunger for purity; may my look never be one of disappointment, disillusionment, despair; but may it know how to admire, contemplate, adore.
May my eyes learn to close in order to find you more easily; but may they never turn away from the world because they are afraid.
May my eyes be penetrating enough to recognise your presence in the world, and may they never shut on the afflictions of men.
May my eyes be firm and steady, but may they also know how to soften in pity and be capable of tears.
May my gaze not soil the one it touches, may it not disturb, but may it bring peace.
May it not sadden, but rather may it transmit joy.
May it not attract in order to hold captive, but rather may it persuade others to rise above themselves to you.
May my eyes disquiet the sinner because in them they will see your light, but may their reproach lead to encouragement.
Grant that my eyes may be startling because they are an encounter, an encounter with God.
Grant that they be a call, a clarion call, that brings all the world to its doorstep, not because of me, Lord, but because you are to pass by.
That my eyes may be all this, Lord, once more, this evening, I give you my soul, I give you my body, I give you my eyes, that in looking at other people it may be you who looks at them and you who beckons.
Quoist, Michel (2014-09-05). Keeping Hope – Favourite Prayers for Modern Living: Selected Inspirational Prayers from World-Renowned Theologian Michel Quoist (Kindle Locations 1561-1573). Gill & Macmillan. Kindle Edition.
Very sweet prayer. Amen….. and amen….. so much to continually thank God for… even the ability to give thanks..
Blessed night to all.
Amen thanks for this.
My last two days have been good. Yesterday I went driving with my therapist/counselor and it went really well. Several months ago I had a terrible panic episode with my mother in the car. I got out of the car at an intersection and my mother had to drive to our house to tell my wife who went out looking for me. I called 911 as I was such a mess. Belinda showed up and I made it home.
As a result I had a huge setback. Today I took my mother for a haircut and then to the market after my physical therapy. It went great.
I’m so thankful for these past few days and pray they lead to many more.
Erunner,
That’s awesome…keep it going!
Keep going Erunner! Don’t be discouraged by little setbacks. We are cheering you on!