UNPLUG, RECONNECT YOUR SOUL, BE HUMBLE..
"Long before social networks immersed us in a sea of virtual connections, God had already woven the most powerful and transcendental network... A sanctuary where we can silence the external noise and quiet the inner turmoil."
PRAY š
A. CortƩs
6/29/20243 min read
It's difficult to think of it this way, but it's true: prayer offered in humility is an opening to the divine; it is refuge and consolation; it is finding peace and serenity that could never be achieved with mere intellect; it is balm for the troubled soul; a space where we can acknowledge our finitude and open ourselves to divine grace; it is finding a respite from worldly worries and a deep connection with the infinite, something that surpasses all understanding.
It is said that Martin Luther, the Protestant reformer, used to say: I have so much to do today that I will spend three hours in prayer. Although paradoxical, this statement reflects Luther's deep conviction that prayer is not a waste of time, but a source of strength and wisdom.
Long before social media immersed us in a sea of virtual connections, God had already woven the most powerful and transcendental network: prayer. In this age of digital vertigo, where our phones besiege us with notifications from Facebook, Instagram, X, fleeting TikToks, and alarming news; etc., the resource of prayer remains: an oasis of serenity; a sanctuary where we can silence the external noise and quiet the inner turmoil.
Therefore, in everyday life, prayer should not be seen as an escape from reality, but rather as a preparation to face this life of contrasts and disappointments with greater courage and determination. Through prayer, we will find the inner peace and spiritual strength that allow us to persevere in our personal mission even in the midst of adversity. Thus, prayer, far from being an activity that distances us from our responsibilities, equips us to fulfill them with greater effectiveness and serenity.
It is time to renew our perspective and find the strength to move forward; now when circumstances seem overwhelming, let us trust and abandon ourselves in that oasis of calm. How right E.M. Bounds was when he said that prayer 'is the place where the burden is made light, the confusion is cleared, and weakness is converted into strength.' Lighten your load, connect, recharge; clear your mind, strengthen your spiritual muscles. Jesus said: 'Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Then come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis' (TPT, Matthew 11:28).
And what do we need to pray? A certain writer expressed the following in one of her most prominent promises in her book Steps to Christ:
Perhaps it may be difficult to understand this if you don't have a true friend, but right there in prayer we find the best friend in the universe. As we understand in this sentence, praying is not about bringing God down to us; it is much better: we are elevated to Him, to the transcendent where the finite touches the infinite. Wonderful! On the other hand, through this act we do not seek to modify the Divine will either. As Rick Warren says in The Purpose Driven Life: 'Prayer does not change God, but it does change us. It brings us closer to God, aligns us with his will, and gives us the strength to live a life that pleases him.'
That's right, prayer is not an attempt to manipulate God, but a process of personal transformation where we open ourselves to His will, find direction and purpose, and receive the strength to live a full and meaningful life.
So do not stop praying and trusting in the powerful Hand that is controlling the destiny of this universe and particularly, yours... Turn off your mobile, disconnect the TV, bow your face, close your eyes, open your mind and heart; raise your hands, kneel, prostrate yourself on the ground, humble yourself, confess, trust and wait for the miracle that awaits you. Have a happy connection!
"Prayer is the act of opening our heart to God as to a friend. Not that it is necessary in order to make known to God what we are, but in order to enable us to receive Him. Prayer does not bring God down to us, but brings us up to Him." (Steps to Christ, p. 93)
Long before social networks immersed us in a sea of virtual connections, God had already woven the most powerful and transcendental network... A sanctuary where we can silence the external noise and quiet the inner turmoil."
