Hope the following can help you in your prayer…..
“Prayer requires trust, nearness, almost a hand-to-hand contact that is symbolic not of a God who is an enemy, an adversary, but a Lord of blessing who always remains mysterious, who seems beyond reach. Therefore the author of the Sacred text uses the symbol of the struggle, which implies a strength of spirit, perseverance, tenacity in obtaining what is desired. And if the object of one’s desire is a relationship with God, his blessing and love, then the struggle cannot fail but ends in that self-giving to God, in recognition of one’s own weakness, which is overcome only by giving oneself
over into God’s merciful hands.” May 25, 2011
Father,
Are you saying that if reaching to God is difficult, that's because of our nature not His? and that we thus have to fight against ourselves to get closer to God? In my case, that would make sense. Thanks
Father Charles replies: Yes, Francois, I think that is a clear inference we can draw from the Pope's words. Although our baptism gives us the dignity of being children of God, we find ourselves still subject to the consequences of original sin. That wound, what the Church has always referred to as concupiscence, is with us here on earth. So each day we experience a certain "tug of war" inside of us between the good we feel called toward and our tendency to be attracted to selfishness, excessive comforts, etc. But don't feel bad, we're all in good company! No less than St. Paul frequently acknowledges this constant struggle and we can take much consolation and gain courage from many of his writings.
Thanks Father and I agree with youn on St. Paul: he is my hero.