How should I pray? I’m often asked that question–not directly, but rather by inference. In talking with others about prayer I draw upon the experience of my own, ever-evolving prayer life. Since diaconate formation began, my days are bookended by Morning Prayer and Vespers from the Liturgy of the Hours. (see “Unceasing Ripple of Prayer” a February 2007 post on the LOH).
The “Hours” provides the quiet space we all need for God to penetrate the armor of daily life. And yet, there are times when a brief prayer that truly resonates with one’s faith life is absolutely essential to have at hand. A prayer that serves as a reminder of who we are and where we stand in God’s creation: a psalm, short scripture verse or, in my case, a prayer from the great Jesuit saint, Ignatius of Loyola:
Dedication to Jesus
Lord Jesus Christ, take all my freedom, my memory,
my understanding, and my will. All that I have and cherish
you have given me. I surrender it all to be guided by your will.Your grace and your love are wealth enough for me.
Give me these, Lord Jesus, and I ask for nothing more. Amen.
When I first encountered the “Dedication to Jesus” I was awed by its absolute surrender… its unequivocal acknowledgment of Christ’s gift of life to each of us. This is a prayer that is always on my lips–when it’s not, then I’m too centered on self. Simple.
At the time that I was first making the prayer “my own”, I placed the image above on my computer desktop: a graphic reminder of God’s salvation through Jesus Christ. Both the jpeg and pdf are linked below, if you’d like a copy. The art is taken from a collection available on-line by a religious order in the desert southwest (if my memory serves me correctly).
Dedication to Jesus (JPEG)
Dedication to Jesus (Adobe PDF)
Filed under: Ministry, Reflections, Religion | Tagged: dedication, divine office, ignatius loyola, jesus, liturgy of the hours, prayer, psalms
Greetings
I have been working hard to provide a simple introduction for those starting out on praying the Liturgy of the Hours. This is what I have prepared:
http://www.liturgy.co.nz/ofthehours/introduction.html
I would be happy to receive any constructive suggestions to make this a better starting resource. I will incorporate suggestions if they appear helpful – and if other suggestions don’t say the opposite ☺
Please consider placing a link called “Liturgy of the Hours” or “Liturgy of the Hours (ecumenical)” to http://www.liturgy.co.nz/ofthehours/resources.html
Blessings on your venture
I love the prayer. It is wonderful in its sense of total utter submission. I like how you made it your own. I think it’s important to find ways to personally connect with prayer, otherwise you may as well be wearing someone else’s shoes.
Ah, “wearing someone else’s shoes”! A perfect way of describing anything–including prayer–in which we have no ownership. That personal connection is with our Creator himself and I find that Ignatius’ Dedication to Jesus empties me enough to allow that connection to occur.
Thanks for your insights!
Dc. Tim