Prayer:
Lord, grant that I may always allow myself to be guided by you, always follow your plans, and perfectly accomplish your holy will. Grant that in all things, great and small, today and all the days of my life, I may do whatever you may require of me. Help me to respond to the slightest prompting of your grace, so that I may be your trustworthy instrument, for your honor. May your will be done in time and eternity-by me, in me, and through me. Amen.
-St. Teresa of Avila
Reflection:
The words that stood out to me the most were “Help me respond to the slightest prompting of Your grace.” This made me think that our souls should be so in tune with God that we could effectively discern His calling for us. God’s grace, our unmerited favor, will lead us towards or away from people and situations that will serve His purpose for us. This is sometimes hard for us to understand. But if we accept everything as grace, it helps conform to the will of our most loving Father.
I picture myself holding God’s hand, very much like when you held your parent’s hands when you were little. You don’t know where you’re going, but God does. He sees farther than you can. He knows the way. Sometimes, we get distracted by things around us and can’t see the dangers ahead. We also can’t picture the good things that are coming. But God knows all things.
I picture a soul that is ready to “respond to the slightest prompting of His grace” as one that is constantly holding God’s hand. So that when we feel the slightest tug or a pull, we can quickly change directions and go the way He’s prompting us to go. What a comfort it is to know that we’re being guided with so much care and love by a Father who always works for our good.
How can you stretch out your hand to God today? How can you tighten your grip on His?
Meditation:
Lord help me to never stray from your side, to never loosen my grip from Your guiding hand. Help to respond to Your tugs and Your pulls, always trusting that you will take me where You want me to go. Always trusting that You know best where I need to be always. Always knowing that the best place I could ever be is right next to You.
St. Teresa of Avila, pray for us.
Gloria to God 