What About Tomorrow? And Prayer?

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Wednesday, May 20, 2015

What About Tomorrow? And Prayer?

Today I am looking at the last section of a brief prayer form of St. Ignatius, the Daily Examen. This part of the examination is a bit different for me, especially since I have been trying to live by the credo “One Day at a Time.” For years.

I really have tried to live each day, in the “now.” I’ve been trying not to get lost wandering in yesterday, and not to get ahead of myself by immersing myself in tomorrow. That’s exactly what our Lord Jesus told us to do at the end of the sixth chapter of Matthew. Each day has concerns of its own; or, as the Revised Standard Version says in verse 34, “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.”

St. Ignatius has a little different view of what I ought to do, however. The last section of his Daily Examen tells me to look forward to tomorrow. Plan for the day. Here’s the quote from the Ignatian prayer website:

“5. Look toward tomorrow. Ask God to give you light for tomorrow’s challenges. Pay attention to the feelings that surface as you survey what’s coming up. Are you doubtful? Cheerful? Apprehensive? Full of delighted anticipation? Allow these feelings to turn into prayer. Seek God’s guidance. Ask him for help and understanding. Pray for hope.” [1]

It’s always beneficial to ask for God’s guidance. No matter what. And, to pray? Develop my relationship with God further? That can only help me.

Thanks, God, for giving me a hand, and helping me out.

@chaplaineliza

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[1] http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/the-examen/how-can-i-pray

Today. Not Yesterday. Not Tomorrow.

matterofprayer blog post for Wednesday, January 22, 2014

from “Winnie the Pooh,” by A.A. Milne
picture by Ernest Shepard

Today. Not Yesterday. Not Tomorrow.

Right now, I freely, honestly acknowledge that I do not know what to do. Admittedly, this was difficult for me to do, when I was younger. Even now, I find twinges of hesitancy (even rebellion) deep within myself. I can’t admit that I don’t know what to do all the time. But for today, I can. This open, honest statement goes a long way toward opening myself up to God.

After a considerable amount of thinking, I need to stay in today, right now. I need to not get lost in yesterday—because I hardly ever can change the outcomes. I need to not get caught up in unreal expectations of tomorrow—because those expectations might easily go up in a puff of smoke. Instead, today is the most important day for me.

I have been faithful in regular prayer and meditation. It’s true, I have only missed two or three days in the past month. That is a terrific track record for me! God knows. Boy, does God know! But I can’t rest on my laurels. Each day is a fresh opportunity for me to get together with God. I mean, He’s always there. Whenever or wherever I decided to show up, God meets with me.

Lord Jesus, You gave me a wonderful example to live by, in Matthew 6:34. You say, “Don’t worry.” And again, “Don’t worry.” Of course, this verse also has some stuff about each day having trouble(s) of its own, among other things. But God strictly warns us (again!) about worry. Don’t do it! Period. Great advice.

Let’s pray. Dear God, Your love and blessing are truly offered to all who come before You. Forgive me for the frequent times I worry and fret. Worry and fret over nothing. Nothing! Thank You for walking at our sides and holding our hands through the daily worry and concern. Help me focus on one day at a time—today! And help us to be the unique, individual persons of God you created each one to be. Amen.

@chaplaineliza

“Tomorrow can take care of itself.”

matterofprayer blog post for Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Hi, God. It’s me, again.

I am back considering one of the Gospels, again. I am so intrigued by portions of the Sermon on the Mount. Seriously, Lord, parts of it seem like such common sense! Especially this part. The end of Matthew chapter 6, verses 31 through 34.

God, why on earth do I keep on borrowing trouble? I know, I know. You tell me, in no uncertain terms, not to focus on tomorrow. And I am not to become preoccupied with yesterday, either. It’s like that acquaintance of mine who told me the other day, “It’s like my grandma said: ‘we can look back at yesterday, but don’t stare.’” Lord, ain’t it the truth?

If I get caught up in yesterday, or preoccupied with what might happen tomorrow, I can miss out on today! One day at a time living! Isn’t that what You suggest? Each day has concerns enough of its own. My marching orders from You could not be clearer, from the last verse of this passage. Live one day at a time: today. I want to believe Your promises, where You said You’d never leave me nor forsake me. I do, God! I do believe.

Thanks for the confirmation. Live one day at a time. That’s sufficient. You’ll take care of the rest. And you’ll take care of me, too.

Let’s pray. Dear God, sometimes I really get afraid. Or anxious. Or angry. Or a little bit of all of them. God, sometimes I feel like I’m near the end of my rope, or like my short fuse is burnt almost all the way to the end. Thank You for these very clear words from Matthew, God. You instruct me not to worry. Don’t borrow trouble! Thanks for these straight-forward ideas. Help me remember them. Daily. Even hourly. When I need You most. Thanks again. Amen.