‘Beggars Before God’

mcook posted on January 29, 2012 09:28

Prayer is first and foremost a gift from God. It requires on our part a willingness to recognize our own need for God and for his help. Many years ago I heard someone quoting St. Augustine to the effect that “God desires to give us so many good things, but the problem is our hands are already full so we can’t receive what God wants to give us!” One of the main challenges to prayer in life is that we are too busy. My life is full of many things to be done and even in quiet moments I am bombarded with a million thoughts and feelings. I must remember my need for God! The Catechism of the Catholic Church notes that “humility is the foundation of prayer” and that before God we are all beggars. (CCC 2559) If this is so, then I must ask for God’s help in emptying my hands that I might receive what God desires to give me. Why do I cling to so much when it does not bring peace or contentment? Perhaps I could make a beginning in prayer by humbly coming before God (perhaps on my knees) and simply ask God for help in letting go of all that keeps me from him!

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