Many of you were praying this last week as I led a three-day retreat for Dominican pastors. In my “Day 8″ update, I shared the story of a bivocational youth pastor who shared a journaled prayer that so moved me. Today, he was kind enough to send that along to Samuel by email, and Samuel & Kendra helped me translate it. I share both the Spanish and English versions below:
A youth pastor’s prayer
at the beginning of two hours alone with God
All my fears come out when I am alone
For that reason I prefer to be among people.
To be alone becomes my enemy
When it comes close to time to be alone my knees shake.
“To be alone with You, I can only do with Your help.
What I most deeply desire is the very thing that gives me the greatest fear.
Not because of Your presence, but because of my anxiety.
Lord, don’t just speak to me, give me as well the security that it is You that is speaking.”
In Español:
Todos mis temores afloran cuando estoy a solas
por eso prefiero estar entre la gente.
Estar a solas se convierte en mi agresor
que al sentir que está cerca casi tiemblan mis rodillas.
Estar a solas contigo solo puedo hacerlo con tu ayuda.
Lo que más anhelo es lo que mas terror me da,
no por tu presencia sino por mi ansiedad.
Señor!!! no tan solo me hables sino dame también
la seguridad de que eres tú quien habla.
Wow! Great words!