So as I get ready to head to Jerusalem in a few weeks, I'm beginning to spend some time in quiet reflection in preparation for the pilgrimage / course ahead of me. I'm trying to come up with a prayer of sorts that I can say as a Novena before I leave, and while I am there.
Meanwhile, I'm gathering prayer requests from friends and family members, and trying to also think about the particular grace (or graces!) that I want to ask God for on this pilgrimage.
A few things come to mind, some big, some small - in no particular order:
* to be a saint
* for freedom from fear, anxiety
* for greater fervor, zeal
* for clarity in discernment, particularly regarding my future ministry and my current dating relationship
* for physical healing for a friend of mine
* ??
* ??
Even while I seek to identify what grace I ought to ask for on this pilgrimage, the thought occurred to me (as Fr. Juraj once said in a homily), that there are so many and different graces that the Lord wants to give me, and to try and name and pick one would simply not do it justice. I'm also reminded of a part from St. Faustina's Diary in which Jesus tells her how much it pains him that so often we come to receive Him in Holy Communion, and His hands are so full of graces which He wishes to lavish on us, and we don't even ask! In light of this, I always try to remember in my thanksgiving prayer after Holy Communion to sing in my heart to Jesus, "I want all that you have for me." I think too, that on this pilgrimage God wants to give me a great deal of graces - and I need to be sure I don't limit God by having too narrow a vision of what to ask for!
Soften My Heart - Andy Park
Soften my heart with oil,
open my eyes to see
fill me with understanding,
Soften my heart to receive
I want all that You have for me
Jesus, all that You have for me
Open my understanding
Soften my heart to receive
I want all that You have for me.
Don't let my heart be fallow
Don't let my heart be hard
Water me with Your Spirit
Soften the ground of my heart
What would you ask God for at this time?
