There has never been a renewal, a revival, a new Pentecost, an
outpouring of the Holy Spirit, or conversion without prayer
that has gone before it.
- "If my people who bear my name
humble themselves, and pray and
seek my face and turn from their
wicked ways, I myself will hear
from heaven and forgive their sins
and restore their land."
- (2 Chrn. 7:14)
What a privilege we have to bear His name, CHRIST-ians, and to receive
this call to humble ourselves, pray, seek His presence, and repent.
-
Humble Thyself:
- An active choice made to lower one's pride, to be
modest in manner and mind, to live in truth. To acknowledge that I am not
God. We are two different orders of being, natural and supernatural. In
Philippians 2, we read that Jesus "emptied Himself", laid down His
glory and assumed that condition of a slave. There was a union of wills
between the Father and the Son. I, too have been given a share in His glory
and am equally to share in His "meek and humble ways" (Mt. 11:29 and Jn.
13:14-16).
-
Pray:
- We read in Mk. 1:35 how Jesus learned the will of His Father
and then obeyed it promptly; in Lk. 11:1 that before major events or
decisions that Jesus spent the night in prayer; in Lk. 9:10 that His teachings
sprang forth from His prayer life. He prayed after a time of ministry (Mt.
14:23) and before meals (Mt. 14:19). There are many more passages in
which we learn that prayer was as much a part of His life as ministry
was a part of His life (Lk. 5:15-16). Again, He shows us the way.
-
Seek His Presence:
- From Webster, "presence" is the quality of being
present as opposed to being absent. So, this got me thinking about who
was present and who was absent. I remember as a child learning how the
Trinity is always present and lovingly holds each person present before
Them. It is I, I'm afraid, who am not aware and at times indifferent, too
overburdened, or struggling with my own guilt (Gn. 3:8) to walk in God's
presence. Let us no longer miss this wonderful invitation of Love.
-
Turn:
- A true metanoia, a deep personal change of the focus and
attitudes of my heart. This is a work the Holy Spirit has to do within each
person in His own timing, but we can dispose ourselves to receive this gift by
seeking to live the virtuous life and a life of prayer.
As we, CHRIST-ians, continue to make ready the way of the Lord for
the up and coming National Catholic Charismatic Renewal Retreat in
June, let us humble ourselves, seek His presence, turn from our wrongful
attitudes and ways, and "Pray, My People, Pray" for a deep and lasting
outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our area and across the west and receive
the promise He has given us in Second Chronicles. Alleluia!
Printed in the February 1994 issue of the
"Living Water."
Published for
the Charismatic Renewal in the Diocese of San Jose, California. Permission
to copy is granted, as long as proper credit is given.
This site Copyright © 1995-2001 Catholic Charismatic Center