BE AWARE, UNDERSTAND, TAKE ACTION (part four)

BE AWARE, UNDERSTAND, TAKE ACTION (part four)

By Dwight Cunkle



Review, Reflect, Renew and go further on with Jesus...

In his book, Examen Prayer  Timothy Gallagher instructs us to pause and prepare heart and mind for prayer by asking God the grace to become aware of his love for us and His presence in and around us. Begin with awareness then move to thanksgiving, and we will receive wisdom and revelation from his word how to pray and how to act.

David said, “Enter God’s presence with thanksgiving-(Psalms 95 and 100). Jesus showed us how to begin prayer, “Our Father-hallowed be your name.” Paul wrote, “Let requests be made with thanksgiving,” and,  “In everything give thanks.” How important is thanks? Gallagher writes :
“... ingratitude is one of the things most worthy of detestation before our Creator and Lord, and before all creatures capable of his divine and everlasting glory, out of all the evils and sins which can be imagined. For it is a failure to recognize the good things, the graces, and the gifts received. As such, it is the cause, beginning, and origin of all evils and sins (see Romans 1). On the contrary, recognition and gratitude for the good things and gifts received is greatly loved and esteemed both in heaven and on earth.”

1. After becoming aware God looks on me with love, and
2. After giving thanks for his graces my life and world, 
3. Then I am ready to discern good and evil spirits
4. Resisting and rejecting the bad, but aided by the good 5. Move toward God in faith, hope and love. I will be able to set aside the trap of negative self-talk, self-centered introspection, and all the “bait of Satan” to trap me in offence or fear. When I am at rest and united in God’s love, 6. I am ready to hear (really “to sense the effect of” rather than just “get a word”) what God is saying in his word, in listening prayer, and through spiritual direction,
7. And to make good decisions in a pure heart of wisdom and love.