Being and Doing – 21 November – Prayer

AND then let us abandon ourselves entirely to the will of God, and, without losing courage, let us wait with patience the return of His consolations, following the path of prayer and of good works.   Let us offer our heart to God, dry as it is;  it will be as well-pleasing to Him as if it were melting with love, if only it is sincerely determined to love God.   It is a mistake to think that to serve God without feeling any pleasure in it is not pleasing Him;  fresh roses are the most beautiful, but they have the most strength and fragrance when they are dry;  so, though what we do for God is more agreeable to us when it is done with a lively tenderness of heart, because we judge of the pleasure that we feel, yet the fragrance of our actions is greater before God when they are done in a state of spiritual dryness.   For then our will gives itself to the service of God in spite of all the repugnances which it has to overcome, and consequently it must have more strength and constancy than in a time of deeply felt devotion.

S. FRANCIS DE SALES

LET it make no difference to thee whether thou art cold or warm, if thou art doing thy duty.

MARCUS AURELIUS

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These quotes are from ‘Being and Doing’ A selection of helpful thoughts from various authors arranged for daily reading.

Collected by Constance M Whishaw and first published in 1908 for members of the Being and Doing Guild whose object is to do all they can for the relief of suffering and misery.

Most of the writers are 19th Century Christians from Britain and Europe who were committed to living their faith through deeds as well as words – Being AND Doing.

For many years these words have kept me company and encouraged me on the journey of faith.  I hope they will encourage others also.