“For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward Heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy; in a word, something noble, supernatural, which enlarges my soul and unites it to God…. I have not the courage to look through books for beautiful prayers…. I do as a child who has not learned to read, I just tell our Lord all that I want and He understands.” — St. Thérèse of Lisieux
A surge of the heart…now that’s a definition of prayer I can fully understand, appreciate and love. It expresses so beautifully what prayer should be; not mere obligation but a true conversation. It is as much a lifting of the heart to the one who gave us life as anything else. It is a yearning for love, for relationship, for connection; a chance to be heard and viewed as beloved.
Stepping into Holy Week, my “surge of the heart” tonight is that my readers will feel this lift, truly and fully, as well as know the joy that follows the surge.
Leave a Reply