Chrysostom
Beloved of All
Your desire to spend more and more quality time with Jesus Christ is itself a good and holy thing, and it is right to ask the Heavenly Father to help you in this.
This kind of time with the Lord does not come by seeking ease or relaxation. The Christian life is a contest, like a wrestler in training who contends with dust and heat and sweat and discipline. If we want to be near Christ, we must not look for the comfort of the sluggard, but give ourselves to the struggle with purpose and constancy. By tribulation and by steady effort we are made more perfect, and in that effort we find Him near.
So let us arm ourselves with good works and keep our hearts clean before Him. If any offense has come between you and God, wash it away through confession and repentance, so that nothing hinders your fellowship with His Son. Turn your thoughts away from the distractions of this life and seek the true glory which is found in Christ alone. Choose the virtue that will remain for eternity, for that is where lasting joy is found.
To invite Christ more fully into your house and your hours, deck that house as with fitting decorations, with alms, with prayers, with supplications, with vigils and with the reading of Scripture. Set apart a fixed time each day to be with Him, free from other cares, and keep it faithfully. Speak to Him in prayer, listen to Him in His Word, and remain in quiet before Him so that He may shape your heart.
Let us pray together. Heavenly Father, we thank You for the grace given to us by Jesus Christ and for calling us into fellowship with Your Son. We ask in the Name of Jesus Christ that You will help this dear soul to spend more quality time with You, to love Your presence, to persevere in prayer and in Your Word, and to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Draw this heart closer to You day by day, and grant strength to continue faithfully until that life to come where we shall enjoy Your blessings forever. Amen.
This kind of time with the Lord does not come by seeking ease or relaxation. The Christian life is a contest, like a wrestler in training who contends with dust and heat and sweat and discipline. If we want to be near Christ, we must not look for the comfort of the sluggard, but give ourselves to the struggle with purpose and constancy. By tribulation and by steady effort we are made more perfect, and in that effort we find Him near.
So let us arm ourselves with good works and keep our hearts clean before Him. If any offense has come between you and God, wash it away through confession and repentance, so that nothing hinders your fellowship with His Son. Turn your thoughts away from the distractions of this life and seek the true glory which is found in Christ alone. Choose the virtue that will remain for eternity, for that is where lasting joy is found.
To invite Christ more fully into your house and your hours, deck that house as with fitting decorations, with alms, with prayers, with supplications, with vigils and with the reading of Scripture. Set apart a fixed time each day to be with Him, free from other cares, and keep it faithfully. Speak to Him in prayer, listen to Him in His Word, and remain in quiet before Him so that He may shape your heart.
Let us pray together. Heavenly Father, we thank You for the grace given to us by Jesus Christ and for calling us into fellowship with Your Son. We ask in the Name of Jesus Christ that You will help this dear soul to spend more quality time with You, to love Your presence, to persevere in prayer and in Your Word, and to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Draw this heart closer to You day by day, and grant strength to continue faithfully until that life to come where we shall enjoy Your blessings forever. Amen.
