In preparation for teaching at Forerunner School of Ministry this fall, I've been reading a small book by Raniero Cantalamessa who, since 1980, has been the "Preacher to the Papal Household." I'm not sure of all that title includes, but it seems to mean that he is the primary proclaimer of God's Word (other than the Pope, himself) to everyone who works at the Vatican. The title of the book is "The Mystery of God's Word." In the opening chapter he writes this prayer: "Lord, do not allow us to run through the pages of your Bible without, somewhere, encountering you as you still move about in the paradise of your scriptures; ... may we dare to venture out on the open sea of your wisdom; send your divine breath, the Holy Spirit, so that we may indeed commit ourselves to the deep and come to you across the waters. Give us a simple heart, able to marvel and leap at the sound of your voice, as children leap to the voice of their father ... Let us hear your voice!"
As I have stated recently, Jonathan and his family have been visiting with us. They are working at the Zadok House of Prayer in Ft. Mill, South Carolina, where Jonathan is responsible for many things, one of which is training new worship leaders. His responsibilities take him away from his family quite a bit, and these few days here with us have given him a chance to spend more time with his boys. After a few days of enjoying his company almost uninterrupted, Jonathan decided to leave them behind and spend some time at the International House of Prayer. As he was closed the door, Salem, the 11 month old, realized that his daddy was leaving and crawled after him, crying big crocodile tears. In just a few days of constantly being in his dad's presence, he had grown used to it, and longed for it. He missed his dad's presence -- he missed his dad's voice!
I think that is at least partially what Father Cantalamessa is trying to express in his prayer. Time spent in the Bible is time spent with our Father. Time spent with our Father is precious because we get to hear His voice. Spending time with the Father by studying His Word will make us long for more, and make us miss it even more severely when it is absent. Draw me to Your Word, Lord, draw me to Your Word.
1 comment:
think of the joy found when daddy comes back! i came home from a week long ministry trip to invercargill yesterday, travelling with one of the pastors from church, and he has a baby son... the baby was happy... but even more so, daddy was happy when he finally got to hold his son in his arms again! How much more does Abba long to be able to hold us in his arms, than we long for him when he feels distant.
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