Monday brings The Week in Words at Breath of Life. Though I fear I’ve already over-quoted from George MacDonald’s Unspoken Sermons this week, I can’t resist offering these wise words from “Man’s Difficulty Concerning Prayer”:
Perhaps, indeed, the better the gift we pray for, the more time is necessary to its arrival. To give us the spiritual gift we desire, God may have to begin far back in our spirit, in regions unknown to us, and do much work that we can be aware of only in the results; for our consciousness is to the extent of our being but as the flame of the volcano to the world-gulf whence it issues: in the gulf of our unknown being God works behind our consciousness. With his holy influence, with his own presence, the one thing for which most earnestly we cry, he may be approaching our consciousness from behind, coming forward through regions of our darkness into our light, long before we begin to be aware that he is answering our request — has answered it, and is visiting his child.
These sermons force me to slow down and ponder. I can’t imagine them spoken rather than written; 75% of the content would blow right by me while I work to grasp his first preliminary point. I can’t help but recognize how often I read over difficult sentences, faltering a little, but proceeding full steam ahead in the faith that ensuing sentences will restore firm and easy ground underfoot. How many jewels do I miss with this kind of reading?
The thing about MacDonald is that difficult sentences aren’t very often followed by easy ones. He invariably builds on the difficult, and there’s no going on until I’ve stopped and wrestled.
Anyway, it’s worth it — very encouraging. For more quotable gems, head over to Breath of Life.
Yes, I think you’re right–this would be totally lost on me and most modern audiences. It’s good, though. Thanks for sharing!
So true — prayer is so much more than just getting our requests answered.
This quote was wonderful and yes, as you said, difficult. He obviously doesn’t speak in such away that you can read and walk away. Concentration is required. And THAT is a wonderful thing!
A quote worth wrestling with, for sure
I’m glad I’m not the only one who has to reread difficult sentences or deep thoughts. Thanks for the encouragement to keep pressing to understand it.
A beautiful, thought-provoking quote! I admit I got lost in it to begin with. Great reading, though!
I like this quote. I also had to slow down and ponder rather than do the speed reading that I usually give in to. I am so glad I did. Speaking of prayer, this reminds me of a quote I heard from John Hagee about it: prayer is not getting God to do what we want; it is God changing us to do His will. Hmmm.