The Enemy vs. The Inner Me: Prayer for Unity

The Enemy vs. The Inner Me is the title of a painting by Duy Huynh.  My husband and I own this painting. I am fascinated by this work and today I found a couple of prayers in a collection edited by Lyn Klug called "A Forgiving Heart: Prayers for Blessing and Reconciliation."  I found the two prayers this morning, by chance, that speak to a reconciliation of a divided self.  Have you ever felt divided against yourself?  Ever wrestled with conflicting feelings or has your inner life been in a boxing match with your outer life? 

This photo does not do the painting justice, but you can see the images clearly and the boxer sparring with the shadow.  Here are the two prayers to use for reflection along with the painting.

Don't carry on a futile battle against yourself, don't divide yourself in to good and evil.  Resist the temptation to analyze yourself--turn your attention to the Lord instead, and be deeply receptive.  Accept yourself in God's light and concentrate on the mission you have to accomplish.   anonymous, pg. 65

Dear God, I need to see myself as you see me.
My own vision is fragmented.
I try to divide up my life and reject those parts of me I consider to be weak.
I waste time and energy in the battle of self against self and Lord,
I always end up the loser.

Dear God, help me to see myself as you see me.
I for that you made me just as I am and that you delight in your creation.
You do not ask me to be strong;
you simply ask me to be yours.
You do not expect me to reject my weakness,
merely to surrender it to your healing touch.

Dear God, when I can see myself as you see me,
then I will understand this frail, tender, fearful, aching,
singing, half-empty, shining, shadowed person
is a whole being made especially by you for your love.

--Joy Cowley, New Zealand