The Society of Jesus
in Belize
Getting Honest With Myself
Preparing to Pray
1. Take three deep breaths, allowing yourself to be fully present.
2. Speak to the Lord, telling him that you are dedicating the next fifteen minutes to be with Him.
3. Ask for the grace you desire:
I ask God to give me the gift of honesty, to look at my life as it is, and to see clearly the choices I make.
4. Consider the following points:
St. Paul writes about what is probably a common experience among committed Christians: the confusion at choosing to do things we know aren’t aligned with our most authentic selves. What ways, big or small, do I choose selfishness over love in my life?
Prayer
Scripture:
Romans 7:13-25 “What I do, I do not understand. For I do not do the good that I want, but I do what I hate.”
Sit with these words of St. Paul and try to try to pick up on the emotion underneath his words. Perhaps you feel moved to do an Ignatian Contemplation and spend some time with St. Paul as he struggles with... well, whatever he is struggling with. Or perhaps you feel drawn to use lectio divina to pray with this passage.
Review your prayer
Take a few minutes to reflect on and journal about the following:
What are the patterns of sin in your life? When you’re struggling, what are those unhealthy ways you choose to cope? How do you feel when you think about these patterns and behaviors? How does God feel, when God sees you as you are, with all your virtues and all your vices?
... or else write down any moments of consolation or desolation you encountered in your prayer.
Speak with the Lord, as one friend to another, about whatever came up in your prayer.
End with an Our Father or a Hail Mary.