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| In this icon of Julian of Norwich, she is shown at her window that opened to the street where she listens to those who come with their problems. |
Julian of Norwich on Prayer
“The Goodness of God is the highest prayer, and it cometh
down to the lowest part of our
need”
Pray inwardly, even if
you do not enjoy it.
It does good, though you feel nothing.
Yes, even though you think you are doing nothing.
Prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance.
It is laying hold of His willingness.
This is our Lord's will, ... that our prayer and our trust be, alike, large.
For if we do not trust as much as we pray,
we fail in full worship to our Lord in our prayer;
and also we hinder and hurt ourselves.
The reason is that we do not know truly
that our Lord is the ground from which our prayer springeth;
nor do we know that it is given us by his grace and his love.
If we knew this, it would make us trust
to have of our Lord's gifts all that we desire.
For I am sure that no man asketh mercy and grace with sincerity,
without mercy and grace being given to him first.
It does good, though you feel nothing.
Yes, even though you think you are doing nothing.
Prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance.
It is laying hold of His willingness.
This is our Lord's will, ... that our prayer and our trust be, alike, large.
For if we do not trust as much as we pray,
we fail in full worship to our Lord in our prayer;
and also we hinder and hurt ourselves.
The reason is that we do not know truly
that our Lord is the ground from which our prayer springeth;
nor do we know that it is given us by his grace and his love.
If we knew this, it would make us trust
to have of our Lord's gifts all that we desire.
For I am sure that no man asketh mercy and grace with sincerity,
without mercy and grace being given to him first.
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