Hearts Wide Open

" However late, then, it may seem, let us rouse ourselves from lethargy. That is what scripture urges on us when it says: the time has come for us to rouse ourselves from sleep. Let us open our eyes to the light that can change us into the likeness of God. Let our ears be alert to the stirring call of his voice crying to us every day: today, if you should hear his voice, do not harden your hearts."

                           ~ Benedict of Nursia

I loved reading this passage from Benedict of Nursia because one could so easily turn his words expressing the need to awaken our spirit's to the light of God's, into a prayer.  At the end it made me just want to surrender everything to God with a heart wide open to Him. One attuned to His presence and the whisperings of His Spirit.

It is my hope that his words might encourage you as well :)

Heavenly Father,

Like a flower opening up to the dawn of a new day may our hearts open up to you. May your light reach the farthest corners of our souls, permeating them with your Love, renewing and healing them with your touch of mercy and grace. Awaken within us a desire  and an ability to be attuned the whispers of your Spirit and move our hearts and hands to obey the will you have for us. Help our hearts turn from ones of stone, hardened by the world,  into ones flesh that conform ever more and more into the likeness of your Son.

We thank you for your steadfast faithfulness. May our hearts open up to your light and reflect it outwards, towards those in our lives that need hope and compassion, that need to know your infinite love. May we never cease to bring you glory.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.