January 17

“Pray simply. Do not expect to find in your heart any remarkable gift of prayer. Consider yourself unworthy of it. Then you will find peace. Use the empty cold dryness of your prayer as food for your humility. Repeat constantly: I am not worthy; Lord, I am not worthy! But say it calmly, without agitation.”

                                                            -St. Macarius of Optina

Today’s Reflection:

If a saint gives this advice, then I can suppose the saint discovered it through his own experience. How does this encourage me in moments of dryness? How can even these difficult moments be the cause of growth in holiness with a proper disposition of the heart? (See tomorrow’s Graceline for yet another encouragement during times of difficulty in prayer).

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