Oratio Divina

Lord Jesusgive me strengthto dowhat I must doto carry the crossthat lies before meI am weary Lordand my burdenis heavymay your graceand mercygive me courageand wisdomto do your will always ~Robert Van Valkenburgh

Though the way aheadappears dark and dauntingthe lamp of the Lordshines before my feetI need only takeone step at a timein faithno more and no lessit is not for meto stay behindnor to knowwhere the path leadsonly to trustthat it leads me to Him ~Robert Van Valkenburgh

The devil wants meto name myselfby my pride and vanitymy guilt and shamemy anger and fearmy success and failurehe wants me to take onany name besides the namegiven to me by the Lordwho calls me belovedwho calls me son or daughterwho calls me friendI will not be named by Satanonly the God who knew…

Praise the Lordas the light shines inscaring away the darknesschasing the shadowsinto their cornerscowering in fearfor the darkness knowsit has no powershadows have no strengththey only exist in absenceand illusionPraise the Lordbathe in His lightwhen it is unseenit is not far awayfor through the Holy SpiritHis light resides in you -Robert Van Valkenburgh

Clouds of darknesstry to cut me offfrom your lightbut when my eyesno longer serve methe quiet becomes my friendI settle into the silenceand I can hear your whisperguiding me forwardone step at a timeslow and steadyis my walkyou have neverled me astray -Robert Van Valkenburgh

Beyond and throughthe leaves and the branchesthe pale blue skyfills in the empty spacesreminding me that youare everywherein and aseverythingthere is no Inor leafnor branchnor skythere is only youperceiving yourselfthrough my eyes -Robert Van Valkenburgh