A Prayer - St Ignatius Of Loyola

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2017:10&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%206:9&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%206:5-13&version=NIV

Chances are that you have probably never heard of St Ignatius Of Loyola.  First of all, he lived a long time ago.  1491-1556.  That’s about the time that America was being discovered.  And the Reformation was spreading across Europe.  Secondly, Ignatius was a priest and theologian.  Not exactly the kind of occupation that attracts a lot of notoriety.  That being said, Ignatius was the founder of the Jesuits.

My main focus with Ignatius is one of his prayers that has been preserved for us.  I love simple prayers.  Prayers that say much in few words.  Prayers that get right to the heart of a matter.  Ignatius has one of those kinds of prayers.

    Teach us, Good Lord, to serve Thee
    As Thou deservest,
    To give and not count the cost,
    To fight and not heed the wounds,
    To toil and not to seek for rest,
    To labor and not to ask for any reward save that of knowing that we do Thy will.

So many times we approach our faith like Jesus’ disciples did with a ‘what’s in it for me?’ approach.  We complain.  We keep track of the cost.  We feel like we’ve done more than our fair share.  That we are fully out of Jesus’ debt by our service.  Ignatius addresses this fact.  In a way that I really appreciate.  And am inspired by.

Lord, I thank you for the privilege of serving You.  It’s not easy at times.  There are valleys.  And dangers.  I get tired.  And discouraged.  Help me to keep the faith.  To keep going.  To finish well.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.