Jesus loves you – becoming flame

Self-isolation

Who would have thought when I wear a mask I don't hide behind it but instead flash a broad smile: you are important to me when I stay home self-isolating I reach out: I care for you this much Who would have thought when I deny myself bear the inconvenient cross before me (the world behind me) I follow my Maker embracing the world and you Whoever would have thought or said such a thing?

With prayer

With prayer, one can go on cheerfully and even happily, while without prayer, how grim is the journey. Prayer is as necessary to life as breathing. It is drink and food.
Day, Dorothy. The Reckless Way of Love: Notes on Following Jesus (Plough Spiritual Guides: Backpack Classics) (p. 40). Plough Publishing House. Kindle Edition.

Prayer isn’t like sit ups.

It’s not a thing.
It’s not a thing you do to get some other thing.

Prayer is knowing Someone is there

who loves you,
who would die to be with you,
who hears and understands,
who knows exactly who you are,
who you are meant to be,
who will take you there no matter what,
who will never leave you or forsake you.

Prayer is staying close to that Person as if your life and hope and happiness depended on it.

That Person, for me, is Jesus.
If you like, he will be that Person for you, too.

How does the quote from Dorothy Day strike you? How is your experience compared to hers?
Do you view prayer as a ‘spiritual exercise’, like sit ups? If so, what do you seek to gain by such exercise? Do you find it helpful?
How does my reflection on prayer strike you? What seems true or helpful? What seems far-fetched or missing?
I encourage you to take time to write out your thoughts, to share them in the comments below if you like, or to share them with someone close to you.

Grace and peace to you…