What I learned from the St. Andrew Novena ….
St. Andrew Novena Prayer
Yep …. 30 days x 15times each day = a whopping 450 times you’ll recite this prayer.
I’ve been doing this annual novena the last few years … and have read numerous stories from friends, acquaintances and strangers about the efficacy of this novena. This is the FIRST year I actually prayed the 15 times each day … (I’m not good with rules and remembering things I “have to do”).
But this year I prayed the full novena … every day since November 30th … 15times during the day.
And you know what?
About half-way thru the novena, I started thinking something … something that came to full understanding by the end of the novena: no matter what I’m praying for … or why I started praying the novena … or even whether I finish the novena perfectly (saying the lovely prayer a total of 450 times)… all that doesn’t matter.
The important thing is to realize that I’ve spent time, of my own volition, praying for discernment … asking for help … trying to understand God’s will for me and mine. That’s the blessing of this amazing novena — whether I get the house sold … or my child comes back to the Church … or we get the wherewithal to obtain whatever …
all that doesn’t matter
as long as I am trying my darnedest to do God’s will … all else will fall into place.
God bless you all … on this Christmas Day and throughout 2015. May we all grow in holiness and closeness to God … to try and discern God’s will … and to (and this is the hard part for me, sometimes) joyfully embrace God’s will!
special time set for prayer is always a good (but difficult at least for me) endeavour! * years ago I realized and talked to my Ottawa spiritual father (I’ve moved since) about my realization that if one is in the will of God one is perfectly and totally safe… and that meant that Christ, who obeyed His Father in utter perfection, was safe, even when being Crucified on the Cross that He made Holy. Even then, Christ was safe as He was in the will of God… and now we see that Cross as that which through Christ killed death…
I too need to seek to be in God’s Holy Will in all things.
*
Do you know this prayer:
O Lord, grant that I may meet all that this coming day brings to me with spiritual tranquility. Grant that I may fully surrender myself to Thy holy Will.
At every hour of this day, direct and support me in all things. Whatsoever news may reach me in the course of the day, teach me to accept it with a calm soul and the firm conviction that all is subject to Thy holy Will.
Direct my thoughts and feelings in all my words and actions. In all unexpected occurrences, do not let me forget that all is sent down from Thee.
Grant that I may deal straightforwardly and wisely with every member of my family, neither embarrassing nor saddening anyone.
O Lord, grant me the strength to endure the fatigue of the coming day and all the events that take place during it. Direct my will and teach me to pray, to believe, to hope, to be patient, to forgive, and to love. Amen.
http://blogs.ancientfaith.com/glory2godforallthings/2006/11/10/the-morning-prayer-of-the-last-elders-of-optina/