COSUMED Part 1

The wisdom of the fathers

CONSUMED   Part 1

There is another element of prayer, just as central. just as essential, as worship. And it is right here that we come to the central issue of man with God; moreover, without this element there is no real prayer; without it there can be no plunging into the very depth of Jesus Christ, and no way that God can bring you to the ends which He plans for you.

And what is this aspect of prayer?

The g i v i n g u p  o f s e l f is a necessary part of prayer an experiencing the depth of Jesus Christ. Real prayer demands of the one praying that he utterly abandon self. Moreover, God desires that such a state ultimately become yours a l l times.

As you come to the Lord, pour out your heart in the presence of God. This outpouring is an incense, and this incense is a total giving of yourself to Him. Prayer is melting! Prayer is a dissolving and a uplifting of the soul. This warmth of love, this melting, this dissolving and uplifting causes the soul ascend to God.

As the soul is melted, sweet fragrances begin to rise from it and pour forth from a consuming fire of love... and that love is in you, a consuming fire of love in you inmost being, a fire of love for God. to be continued

(from "Experiencing the Depth of Jesus Christ" by Jeanne Guyon)