Daily Encouragement: Day 285

Adapted from Handbook to Spiritual Growth

LOVING GOD COMPLETELY

For years, I’ve used this prayer by St. Richard of Chichester (1197–1253) in my own quiet times before the Lord:

Thanks be to Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ,
for all the benefits which Thou hast given us;
for all the pains and insults which Thou hast borne for us.
O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother,
may we know Thee more clearly,
love Thee more dearly,
and follow Thee more nearly;
for Thine own sake.

Loving God completely involves our whole personality—our intellect, emotion, and will. “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30). The better we come to know God (“may we know Thee more clearly”), the more we will love Him (“love Thee more dearly”). And the more we love Him, the greater our willingness to trust and obey Him in the things He calls us to do (“follow Thee more nearly”).