Context: Yesterday morning I received this prayer. I was facing a very demanding day, during which I had appointments with two different consultants.
The verses I was given reminded me of Saint Mother Theresa, who served God faithfully, even though for many years she had no sense at all of God’s loving presence. Despite this, she was always cheerful, continuing to carry out her ministry with great devotion.
Mother Theresa had to walk by faith, not sight, and I can do the same. I find this realisation very helpful, comforting and reassuring.
We walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7; CSB).
Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe (John 20:29; CSB).
Lord God,
May I experience
Your warm and tender love for me,
But when I don’t, may I have faith
That you hear every plea.
May I believe as Mary did –
So young, so pure, so long ago,
Prepared, Lord, to embrace each test:
The trials you bestow.
Then I’ll say, “Yes”, and offer thanks,
No matter what you ask each day,
Take up my cross, and follow Christ –
My life, my truth, my way.
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6; NLT).
References
He loves us with unfailing love; the LORD’s faithfulness endures forever (Psalm 117:2; NLT).
We know he hears us when we make our requests (1 John 5:15; NLT).
Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world (John 16:33; NLT).
The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul (Deuteronomy 13:3; NIV).
And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word (Luke 1:38; KJV).
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:18; NIV).
Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23; NLT).