When I saw this prayer and the line about the clenched fists I thought about myself. Because more often than not, I usually have both my fists closed. I remember even my mother making mention of my clenched fists when I was a teenager.
The clenched fists of mine have that underlining meaning of holding back my emotional pain. The prayer shares exactly what letting go of the pain will do.
"Dear God,
I am so afraid to open my clenched fists!
Who will I be when I have nothing left to hold on to?
Who will I be when I stand before you with empty hands?
Please help me to gradually open my hands
and to discover that I am not what I own,
but what you want to give me.
And what you want to give me is love,
unconditional, everlasting love.
Amen."
— Henri J.M. Nouwen
Amen Amen...So true.....
ReplyDeleteDraw strenght from His Love on the Journey and season you are now in
Take care and know you are in my prayers!
INTERESTING OBSERVATION JBR. I THINK I EVEN HOLD BACK IN RELEASING MY WHOLE SELF TO GOD. I REALLY LIKE THIS PRAYER ALOT.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful prayer. Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeletePraying sweet one!
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JBR what a meaningful prayer. Praying that your hands will open wide for God's blessings. God Bless.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, Lord,
ReplyDeletehelp us to open our hands!
Enable us to release
and let go
of the things we think
we hold
and take yours instead.
Thanks so much for the share;
my heart sings "yes" to this!
-Jen
Beautiful prayer JBR. I had never heard it before.
ReplyDeleteGreat prayer, JBR!
ReplyDelete(((JBR)))
ReplyDeleteLetting go is one of the hardest things to do, especially when you've been holding on for a long time. And I don't think that letting go of pain completely is necessarily good-- I think we need to know and remember some pain in order to direct ourselves to become the people we want to be. But I think there's a balance between holding on and letting go, and that balance is hard to find.
Wishing you well,
NOS
That prayer is like a poem. It really spoke to me too. Thanks JBR
ReplyDeleteVery hard to open up and not be clenched. I find it easier if I practice it often! Good luck JBR!
ReplyDeleteWe all need this prayer??
ReplyDeletekim
Just open your clenched fist a tiny bit and miracles will happen. Love from my heart to yours.
ReplyDelete