Oratio Divina

May even my painbe for the gloryof Godwhat I perceiveas sufferingis not done to mebut for meto bring me closerto Himfor nothingabsolutely nothinghappens in this lifeourside of God’sgreat andloving purposefor meHis beloved ~Robert Van Valkenburgh

The love of the Lordis the foundationbeneath my feetHis waysare mighty and justHe carries mewhere I need to gothrough the storms of conflictand the deserts of despairHis loveis the bridgeacross which I walkto salvation ~Robert Van Valkenburgh

The shadows runfrom your divine lightas you risethey fleecursingyour presencefor exposingtheir liesbut I will not hideI will walk into the lightin your loveand your truthI am set free ~Robert Van Valkenburgh

Jesus help me to loveeven when that loveis not returnedwhen I am mockedscorned and betrayedhelp me to lovemy enemiesno matter how nearthey are to memake me a vesselof your gracethat through methey may see you ~Robert Van Valkenburgh

Temptations arisein the desert of silencethe devil attackswith all of his toolsand weaponsbut no matterhow real they feelthese are mere distractionsfor there is nothing realapart from GodI need onlyreturn to Himagain and again ~Robert Van Valkenburgh

Practice silencein your inner roomso that when the worldspeaks out against youand the devilantagonizes you to respondthe stillness of the Lordmay fill your spiritlike a font of peaceprotecting youfrom prideand the temptationto return evil for evil ~Robert Van Valkenburgh

Looking for GodI gaze out at the forestit is stilland yet it is notit is quietand yet it is notthe forest movesand breathesit singswhispersand criesI am in itand yet we are apartjust as He is in meand yet we are apartmovingbreathingsingingwhisperingand cryingtogether and apart ~Robert Van Valkenburgh

The Lord’s loveis not passiveHe does not waitfor us to come to HimHe is constantly seekingintimacy and closenesswith His childrenknocking on the doorswe have closed in shameawaiting our consentto His presencethat we may not suffer aloneHis is not a passive lovethe love of the Lordis patient but persistent ~Robert Van Valkenburgh

In the quiet hoursbefore the dawnwhile the worldis still sleepingI sitinviting your presenceopening my heart to youand sometimeseven if for a momentyou pull back the veilbetween usto let me knowthat though the roommay be emptyI am not alone ~Robert Van Valkenburgh

My courage comesfrom you Lordon my ownI am a cowardand I am selfishall of my goodnessI owe to your Spiritwithin methrough your loveand grace Lordhelp me to decreasethat you may increasewithin memay I tastethe sweet fruitof your divine mercyand share that fruitwith those about meuntil there is nothing leftbut Christwithin me ~Robert Van Valkenburgh