Prayerful Place: For Complete Trust in God by St. Francis de Sales

________________________________________________

You are invited to take a few minutes to view the prayerful place image, as I read the Prayer of Saint Francis de Sales. (audio file: see bottom of this web page.) This is called: Visio Divina “Sacred Seeing”, an ancient form of Christian prayer.

________________________________________________

The Prayer For Complete Trust in God, by St. Francis de Sales

“Do not look forward
to the trials and crosses
 of this life with dread and fear. Rather, look to them with full confidence that as they arise, God, to whom you belong, will deliver you from them.

He has guided and guarded you thus far in life. Do you but hold fast to His dear hand and He will lead you safely through all trials. Whenever you cannot stand,
 He will carry you lovingly in his arms.

Do not look forward 
to what may happen tomorrow.
 The same Eternal Father who cares for you today will take good care of you tomorrow
, and every day of your life.

Either, He will shield you from suffering, or He will give you the unfailing strength to bear it.

Be at peace then and put aside all useless thoughts, vain dreads, and anxious imaginations.”

St. Francis de Sales, (1567-1622) Bishop of Geneva, Roman Catholic Church

________________________________________________

Artist's Statement: I sculptured this ceramic piece in response to having prayed this prayer of Saint Francis de Sales for almost two years during a very difficult season in my life.

What I realized, as I received help and hope, was that I believed Saint Francis de Sales was actually praying his prayer with me, and for me — he was helping me!

I hope this prayer is a blessing and a help to you, as much as it has been to me; and, I hope that you sense Saint Francis de Sales helping you.

Blessings,

Elizabeth

Ceramic sculpture, digital photo triptych

Open dimensions: 24” l x 12” h; closed: 12” x 12” (with 2” h x 12” l shelf)

c Elizabeth Brooks 2019

Private Collection

Bisque-fired ceramic with gold leaf; Digital print on canvas, 16 “ x 20” from an original acrylic on canvas by Elizabeth Brooks (painting image inspired by F. Carmichael, Mirror Lake).

c Elizabeth Brooks 2018

$400

_________________________________________________________

Triptych, bisque-fired ceramic with gold leaf; digital prints on wood panels, 12” x 48” open (12” x 24” closed).

c Elizabeth Brooks 2018.

$800

_________________________________________________________