Tansforming Prayer - June 2022

BGU’s 8 Perspectives shape the university as a whole, as it seeks to bring Shalom to the world. This month we will explore Calling-Based Leadership. Leaders seek to understand God-given gifts, experiences, and opportunities in offering his/her unique role as a called instrument of Christ’s transforming work in and above world cultures.

Can callings change? Maybe, but they do deepen. Here is an exercise you may engage in. Close your eyes and lay your palms facing up on your legs, and pray with me:

Take Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will, all that I have and possess. Thou hast given all to me. To Thee, O lord, I return it. All is Thine, dispose of it wholly according to Thy will. Give me Thy love and thy grace, for this is sufficient for me. (Ignatius Loyola*)

As we return to God what He has given us, our attachments to our gifts diminish and our heart focuses on the giver of gifts. What are your feelings saying to you as you sit in silence giving of yourself to God? Are you struggling? There is no condemnation, bring your feelings to God. Are you rejoicing? Express this to God. Are you afraid, invite the Comforter to fill your heart.

There are times when we have identified so intensely with the gift that should it be taken away, we may struggle with our purpose. Rest assured, you were created for God’s pleasure, any significance you may need will be filled by Him.

Pray that your may be able to release all that holds you from fully loving Him. Take Lord, and receive…Thy love and thy grace …is sufficient for me.

* https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/prayers-by-st-ignatius-and-others/suscipe-the-radical-prayer/