Simplicity

#Guyon #100DaysintheSecretPlace #OolaFaith #FindingOola #simplicity

"Let no one feel left out...oh I suppose one group is left out! Don't come if you have no heart." Guyon

Jeanne Guyon lived in a time when education belonged to a certain class. Many people were illiterate. Owning, or having access to the teachings of Jesus, was limited.

One of her greatest missions was to bring the reality of a deep abiding relationship with God to everyone, regardless of social status or literacy.

In her writing she encourages those who cannot read that they may have an advantage in their walk with God: simplicity.

"Prayer offered to the Lord from your mind simply would not be adequate. Why? Because your mind is very limited. The mind can pay attention to only one thing at a time."

Here Guyon is talking about the educated mind as being limited. Limited by it's many thoughts, reasonings, and questions.

Guyon teaches the way to a deep abiding presence is through a prayer of simplicity. A prayer from the heart.

She says that prayers from the heart do "not interfere with your outward activities or your daily routine. Prayer that comes out of the heart is not interrupted by thinking!"

So what is a prayer from the heart?

"Prayer is nothing else than a sense of God's presence." Brother Lawrence

Brother Lawrence, was a poorly educated 16th Century lay brother who worked in a monastery kitchen, and later as a sandal maker. He never served in the chapel. He wasn't a monk. Just a man who gave his "all for the all" .

People from all over Europe came to visit him and ask for spiritual advice. Why? Because he lived in the constant presence of God and exuded more peace and wisdom than many Bishops and Cardinals.

When asked for spiritual advice Brother Lawrence would say:

"In order to know God, we must often think of Him; and when we come to love Him, we shall then also think of Him often, for our heart will be with our treasure. You need not cry very loud; he is nearer to us than we think".

The prayer of simplicity is merely acknowledging God is near, turning your heart to Him, and having an inward conversation.

It's possible to have uninterrupted conversation with God even during the business of the day.

"The time of business does not differ with me from the time of prayer; and in the noise and clatter of my kitchen, while several persons are at the same time calling for different things, I possess God in as great tranquility as if I were on my knees."

Grace made the way for me

To come into His presence

Whosoever come

The way is free and open

Minds cannot attain

To the height of God's love

Logic and reason fail

In light of merciful ways

A simple prayer of faith

From the heart of any child

Opens the door of grace

Into His abiding presence