Open Thou My Lips

The heavens declare the glory of God.  The skies proclaim his handiwork.  Trees and mountains can sing to God together, and even the rocks could start crying out.  But I can’t seem to open my mouth to pray.

The phenomenon, I’m assured, is not unique to me. Prayer is hard to do. I could take the time to compile a list of saints, divines, and other luminaries throughout history who struggled with prayer for seasons or throughout their lives, but it would only be a slight comfort in reassuring us that the struggle is common—which we already know. On the other hand, I could list people who have prayed so well that they would glow with the uncreated light. Again, that’s interesting, but little comfort, at least to me.

Continue reading “Open Thou My Lips”

St. Ephrem and the Tangled Battle of Sin and Repentance

As I was growing up (as a Baptist), I was taught that because of my own free will, I was responsible for my sins, and that these sins separated me from God. Though I could never do anything to fix my sins or carry myself back across the chasm I’d put between myself and God, Jesus, through means I could never articulate, has bridged the gap between myself and God and put away all my sins. All I had to do to accept this gift was to ask that Jesus apply it to me; through a sincere, contrite prayer offered to Jesus, I had only to ask once that he forgive me of my sins and live in me, so as to assure my salvation forever. Continue reading “St. Ephrem and the Tangled Battle of Sin and Repentance”