Oratio Divina

By the grace of GodI will not live in darknessthrough his mercyI will bring my shameto lightI will bring my angerto lightI will bring my fearsto lightI will bring my temptationsto lightand in the light of the Lordin His truthand His lovethe evil one has no powerover who I am ~Robert Van Valkenburgh

We are not asked to loveit is not a mere suggestionwe are commanded to loveto love Godto love our neighborsto love our enemiesto pray for thosewho persecute usto forgive our fellowsseventy times seven timesthis is not convenient loveit is the hardest love to giveit comes with no worldly rewardnot even prideful satisfactionin fact –…

Prayertethers my heartto Godpreventing mefrom sinking too lowin depressionor being carried awayby grandiosityprayer keeps mewhere I must bewhich is right herereaching for heavensupported by earthin service to God ~Robert Van Valkenburgh

Have mercy Lordfor I am a sinnerI look at my fellowswith contemptenvy and lustI cannot runnor hide from your sightfor even in solitudemy thoughts and feelingsbetray my wretched heartand defy your commandI have worshipped false idolsand bowed at the altarof worldly riches and praisefor far too longdeliver me Lordfrom spiritual exileinto your kingdom ~Robert…

Lord Jesusgraft my will to yoursthat I may bear the fruitsof the spiritin your gracein your lovein your namefor your sakeand the sakeof those who may know youthrough your fruits in me ~Robert Van Valkenburgh

Help me Lordto love youas you have loved meyou have neverstopped seeking meyou have pursued meto the gates of helljust to bring meback to youmay I seek you Lordas you have sought memay I follow you Lordlead me to your lost sheepthat I may guide themback to you ~Robert Van Valkenburgh

I am notwho you say I amnor am Iwho I fearor fancy myselfto beonly Godgets to name mefor only He knew mebefore He formed mein my mother’s womb ~Robert Van Valkenburgh

The Lord wants usto share our sufferingto invite othersinto our desolationfor where two or moreare gatheredin His nameHe is thereand it is not goodfor us to be alone ~Robert Van Valkenburgh

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