Episode 2738: Confidence and Desire - Nightly Episode

Confidence and Desire in Prayerful Union with God
Tonight, we delve into the relationship between confidence in prayer and the desire for God. Using insights from Our Lady's words to St. Catherine Labouré and Br. Lawrence's reflections on God's presence, we’ll discuss how we can grow in trust and intimacy with our Lord.
1. The Power of Confident and Fervent Prayer
In 1830, Our Lady appeared to St. Catherine Labouré and promised:
“Graces will be poured out on all those, small or great, who ask for them with confidence and fervor.”
This promise is both simple and profound. It reminds us that the treasures of Heaven are open to all who approach with trust. Whether we are strong or weak, learned or simple, Our Lady reassures us that God does not measure our worth by human standards. Instead, He looks at the faith and fervor with which we approach Him.
But what does it mean to pray with confidence? Confidence in prayer isn’t about presumption, where we demand things as if we are entitled. Instead, it is the childlike trust of knowing that our Heavenly Father desires only our good and is ready to pour out His grace abundantly.
Our Lady’s words call us to cast aside doubts and fears, approaching God with hearts that are bold in their trust and fervent in their love.
Reflection Question:
Do we approach God in prayer with true confidence, trusting in His mercy and generosity?
2. Desire as the Foundation of Union with God
Br. Lawrence, a humble Carmelite known for his reflections on living in God’s presence, wrote:
"God gives light for those who truly desire to belong to Him. He told me that if I had this desire, I could ask to see Him whenever I wanted without fear of being an annoyance to Him, but without this desire, I should not come to see Him at all."
Br. Lawrence highlights the importance of desire in our relationship with God. The graces we receive are not meant to be passive blessings but active invitations to deeper communion. When we truly desire to belong to God, our prayer becomes more than a ritual it becomes a meeting of hearts.
However, without this desire, even prayer risks becoming empty words. God does not force Himself upon us; He waits for us to seek Him earnestly. Desire transforms our spiritual lives because it aligns our will with God’s, making us receptive to His light and guidance.
Reflection Question:
How strong is our desire to belong to God, and how does it influence the way we approach Him in prayer?
3. Aligning Confidence and Desire in Prayer
The teachings of Our Lady and Br. Lawrence complement each other beautifully. Confidence brings us to the throne of grace, while desire sustains us in God’s presence. Together, they form the foundation of a vibrant spiritual life.
St. Paul reminds us of this dynamic in Hebrews 4:16:
"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
When we pray with confidence and desire, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God’s grace. This doesn’t mean every prayer will be answered exactly as we wish, but it does mean that God will always give us what we truly need for our sanctification.
Practical ways to cultivate confidence and desire in prayer include:
1. Meditating on God’s promises in scripture and the words of the saints.
2. Entrusting ourselves to Our Lady, who intercedes for us and teaches us how to trust her Son.
3. Practicing recollection, as Br. Lawrence did, by keeping our minds and hearts fixed on God throughout the day.

Conclusion Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We come before You with hearts full of trust and desire, confident in Your promises and yearning to belong to You more deeply. Help us to approach You with the simplicity and faith of children, asking for Your graces with fervor.

Through the intercession of Our Lady, who teaches us to trust in You, and the wisdom of Your saints, may we grow in intimacy with You, seeking Your presence in every moment of our lives. Fill our hearts with the light of Your love and the fire of Your Spirit, so that we may always desire You above all things.
We ask this in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Thank you for joining us. May we take this week to approach God with renewed confidence and desire, trusting in His mercy and seeking His presence in all we do. Until next time, may Our Lady guide you and God bless you abundantly.