Take some time to reflect on your prayer life.
EXPLORE YOUR PRAYER LIFE by finishing the following sentences.
• The last time I prayed was …
• The place most helpful for prayer is …
• The time I find best for prayer is …
• A method of prayer that seems good fro me now is …
• I use Scripture in my prayer by …
• Sometimes during prayer I …
• When I pray God …
• I talk about my prayer with …
• My prayer influences my life by …
• I pray with …
• My favorite name for God is …
• When I pray I sometimes feel …
• My prayer leads me to …
• Being a part of church influences my prayer by …
• Things I notice about my prayer …
• What I want to say to God now is …
• Things I wish someone had told me about prayer …
Which were the three most significant questions for you personally right now in your life? Why do you think that might be?
Thursday, March 11, 2010
The Lord's Prayer
Luke 11:1-2
1One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."
2He said to them, "When you pray, say"
Try starting every day praying through the Lord’s Prayer.
o Our Father who is Heaven: Recognize God’s presence with you now and reflect on the day before where you noticed His presence.
o Hallowed be your name: Spend time worshiping, thanking, and treasuring God.
o Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven: Pray for God’s love and will to happen in your life, your family, your neighbors, our church, and our world.
o Give us today our daily bread: Tell God all your worries and concerns, your wants and needs, and your hopes and dreams. Ask for his resources and supplies.
o Forgive us as we forgive others: Confess. Name your sins and be honest about your anger or hurt as a result of others. Seek God’s strength and power to forgive those you find it difficult to forgive.
o Lead us not into temptation: In humility seek God’s rescue, His grace, and His mercy, so that you can recognize his consolation when it comes.
1One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."
2He said to them, "When you pray, say"
Try starting every day praying through the Lord’s Prayer.
o Our Father who is Heaven: Recognize God’s presence with you now and reflect on the day before where you noticed His presence.
o Hallowed be your name: Spend time worshiping, thanking, and treasuring God.
o Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven: Pray for God’s love and will to happen in your life, your family, your neighbors, our church, and our world.
o Give us today our daily bread: Tell God all your worries and concerns, your wants and needs, and your hopes and dreams. Ask for his resources and supplies.
o Forgive us as we forgive others: Confess. Name your sins and be honest about your anger or hurt as a result of others. Seek God’s strength and power to forgive those you find it difficult to forgive.
o Lead us not into temptation: In humility seek God’s rescue, His grace, and His mercy, so that you can recognize his consolation when it comes.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Preparing for Lent
Henri Nouwen
How often have I lived through these weeks without paying much attention to penance, fasting, and prayer? How often have I missed the spiritual fruits of the season without even being aware of it? But how can I ever really celebrate Easter without observing Lent? How can I rejoice fully in your Resurrection when I have avoided participating in your death? Yes, Lord, I have to die—with you, through you, and in you—and thus become ready to recognize you when you appear to me in your Resurrection. There is so much in me that needs to die: false attachments, greed and anger, impatience and stinginess.... I see clearly now how little I have died with you, really gone your way and been faithful to it. O Lord, make this Lenten season different from the other ones. Let me find you again. Amen.
Lent starts this Wed or you may start on Sunday. Lent is a 40-day journey with Christ. The point is that we enter into Christ’s experience of self-denial leading up to the ultimate sacrifice, His life. Begin this week by seeking opportunities to commune with Jesus more often. One way for us to deepen our understanding of how Jesus denied Himself and embraced suffering and death for you, try practicing some sort of fast. Think of something that you may fast from and replace that with spending time with Jesus.
Try fasting from:
• Morning coffee
• Daily sodas
• Evening TV
• Media
• Sports
• The computer
• Stereo in your car
• A meal
As you take away these things replace them with God. When it’s difficult share your feeling with Jesus in prayer and journaling. What is Jesus saying to you during this time?
Take the next few days or week in prayer to discern what you may fast from. The point is not what you will no longer have but the feasting with Jesus you now have time for.
How often have I lived through these weeks without paying much attention to penance, fasting, and prayer? How often have I missed the spiritual fruits of the season without even being aware of it? But how can I ever really celebrate Easter without observing Lent? How can I rejoice fully in your Resurrection when I have avoided participating in your death? Yes, Lord, I have to die—with you, through you, and in you—and thus become ready to recognize you when you appear to me in your Resurrection. There is so much in me that needs to die: false attachments, greed and anger, impatience and stinginess.... I see clearly now how little I have died with you, really gone your way and been faithful to it. O Lord, make this Lenten season different from the other ones. Let me find you again. Amen.
Lent starts this Wed or you may start on Sunday. Lent is a 40-day journey with Christ. The point is that we enter into Christ’s experience of self-denial leading up to the ultimate sacrifice, His life. Begin this week by seeking opportunities to commune with Jesus more often. One way for us to deepen our understanding of how Jesus denied Himself and embraced suffering and death for you, try practicing some sort of fast. Think of something that you may fast from and replace that with spending time with Jesus.
Try fasting from:
• Morning coffee
• Daily sodas
• Evening TV
• Media
• Sports
• The computer
• Stereo in your car
• A meal
As you take away these things replace them with God. When it’s difficult share your feeling with Jesus in prayer and journaling. What is Jesus saying to you during this time?
Take the next few days or week in prayer to discern what you may fast from. The point is not what you will no longer have but the feasting with Jesus you now have time for.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
The Jesus Prayer - "The Prayer of the Heart"
1 Thessalonians 5:17
“Pray without ceasing”
The Jesus Prayer is what some might call a mantra. This prayer pulls us away from intellectualizing our problems and viewing God as one of those problems to be solved. You spend time saying this prayer in a rhythm and say ti when you remember: While driving, waiting in a line. After you do this for a week or longer you find that it begins to recite itself in your heart. It's a discipline that begins to train your heart so that you can begin to pray without ceasing. It's a way to practice being in the presence of God always. There are some great short resources that can be found at the bottom of this post.
How?
Recite this slowly and over and over for a set time and when ever you have free time.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.
Why?
• Biblical origins: Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me" (Luke 18:38); the ten lepers who "called to him, Jesus, Master, take pity on us' " (Luke 17:13); and the cry for mercy of the publican, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner" (Luke 18:14).
Matthew 12:34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks Matthew 15:18 But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.' Matthew 23:25 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Matthew 23:26: Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.
The Prayer of the heart is a prayer that does not allow us to limit our relationship with God to interesting words or pious emotions. By its very nature such prayer transforms our whole being into Christ precisely because it opens the eyes of our soul to the truth of ourselves as well as to the truth of God.
The Way of the Heart, Henri Nouwen
What? (What are the fruits of the prayer)
"When I prayed in my heart, everything around me seemed delightful and marvelous. The trees, the grass, the birds, the air, the light seemed to be telling me that they existed for man's sake, that they witnessed to the love of God for man, that all things prayed to God and sang his praise."
"Again I started off on my wanderings. But now I did not walk along as before, filled with care. The invocation of the Name of Jesus gladdened my way. Everybody was kind to me. If anyone harms me I have only to think, 'How sweet is the Prayer of Jesus!' and the injury and the anger alike pass away and I forget it all."
- The Way of the Pilgrim, Unknown Russian Peasant
Bibliography and Suggested Reading
The Way of the Pilgrim and the Pilgrim Continues His Way translated by Helen Bacovcin
The Way of the Heart by Henri J. Nouwen
Practicing His Presence or The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence
“Pray without ceasing”
The Jesus Prayer is what some might call a mantra. This prayer pulls us away from intellectualizing our problems and viewing God as one of those problems to be solved. You spend time saying this prayer in a rhythm and say ti when you remember: While driving, waiting in a line. After you do this for a week or longer you find that it begins to recite itself in your heart. It's a discipline that begins to train your heart so that you can begin to pray without ceasing. It's a way to practice being in the presence of God always. There are some great short resources that can be found at the bottom of this post.
How?
Recite this slowly and over and over for a set time and when ever you have free time.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.
Why?
• Biblical origins: Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me" (Luke 18:38); the ten lepers who "called to him, Jesus, Master, take pity on us' " (Luke 17:13); and the cry for mercy of the publican, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner" (Luke 18:14).
Matthew 12:34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks Matthew 15:18 But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.' Matthew 23:25 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Matthew 23:26: Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.
The Prayer of the heart is a prayer that does not allow us to limit our relationship with God to interesting words or pious emotions. By its very nature such prayer transforms our whole being into Christ precisely because it opens the eyes of our soul to the truth of ourselves as well as to the truth of God.
The Way of the Heart, Henri Nouwen
What? (What are the fruits of the prayer)
"When I prayed in my heart, everything around me seemed delightful and marvelous. The trees, the grass, the birds, the air, the light seemed to be telling me that they existed for man's sake, that they witnessed to the love of God for man, that all things prayed to God and sang his praise."
"Again I started off on my wanderings. But now I did not walk along as before, filled with care. The invocation of the Name of Jesus gladdened my way. Everybody was kind to me. If anyone harms me I have only to think, 'How sweet is the Prayer of Jesus!' and the injury and the anger alike pass away and I forget it all."
- The Way of the Pilgrim, Unknown Russian Peasant
Bibliography and Suggested Reading
The Way of the Pilgrim and the Pilgrim Continues His Way translated by Helen Bacovcin
The Way of the Heart by Henri J. Nouwen
Practicing His Presence or The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Ignation Scripture Meditation
WHY MEDITATE ON SCRIPTURE?
Meditation helps us to become “careful to do everything written in the Word” (Joshua 1:8).
It is mentioned more than 15 times in the Psalms.
It’s a spiritual discipline, which is: practicing how to become attentive to that small voice and willing to respond when we hear it.
Psalm 48:9
Within your temple, O God,
we meditate on your unfailing love.
Psalm 143:5
I remember the days of long ago;
I meditate on all your works
and consider what your hands have done.
Psalm 145:5
They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
Psalm 119:9-16 (The Message)
How can a young person live a clean life?
By carefully reading the map of your Word.
I'm single-minded in pursuit of you;
don't let me miss the road signs you've posted.
I've banked your promises in the vault of my heart
so I won't sin myself bankrupt.
Be blessed, God;
train me in your ways of wise living.
I'll transfer to my lips
all the counsel that comes from your mouth;
I delight far more in what you tell me about living
than in gathering a pile of riches.
I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you,
I attentively watch how you've done it.
I relish everything you've told me of life,
I won't forget a word of it
How is meditation on Scripture different from study of Scripture?
IN THE “STUDY METHOD YOU…
• Dissect the text
• Ask questions about the text
• Read and compare facts
and new ways of applying the facts
IN MEDITATION METHOD, YOU…
• Hear the text and enter into it
• Let the text ask questions of you
• Read to let God speak to you
HOW DO WE DO THIS
• Pick a small passage from the scriptures. Jesus' parables work best for this method. (You can use the parable of The Lost Sheep at the end.)
• Be a “fly on the wall”: If you had been present, what sights, sounds, tastes, smells and textures would you have experienced?
• Let God put you in the passage, perhaps becoming the person Jesus is speaking to. Let Jesus look you in the eyes, sitting face to face, and speak to you. What do sense as Jesus speaks to you? What facial expressions do you notice?
• Use your imagination, but still be WORD-centered
• Approach Scripture in non-controlling manner: Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls.
– James 1:21
Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."
Then Jesus told them this parable: "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. (Luke 15:1-7)
***Taken from Jan Johnson’s Seminar
Meditation helps us to become “careful to do everything written in the Word” (Joshua 1:8).
It is mentioned more than 15 times in the Psalms.
It’s a spiritual discipline, which is: practicing how to become attentive to that small voice and willing to respond when we hear it.
Psalm 48:9
Within your temple, O God,
we meditate on your unfailing love.
Psalm 143:5
I remember the days of long ago;
I meditate on all your works
and consider what your hands have done.
Psalm 145:5
They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
Psalm 119:9-16 (The Message)
How can a young person live a clean life?
By carefully reading the map of your Word.
I'm single-minded in pursuit of you;
don't let me miss the road signs you've posted.
I've banked your promises in the vault of my heart
so I won't sin myself bankrupt.
Be blessed, God;
train me in your ways of wise living.
I'll transfer to my lips
all the counsel that comes from your mouth;
I delight far more in what you tell me about living
than in gathering a pile of riches.
I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you,
I attentively watch how you've done it.
I relish everything you've told me of life,
I won't forget a word of it
How is meditation on Scripture different from study of Scripture?
IN THE “STUDY METHOD YOU…
• Dissect the text
• Ask questions about the text
• Read and compare facts
and new ways of applying the facts
IN MEDITATION METHOD, YOU…
• Hear the text and enter into it
• Let the text ask questions of you
• Read to let God speak to you
HOW DO WE DO THIS
• Pick a small passage from the scriptures. Jesus' parables work best for this method. (You can use the parable of The Lost Sheep at the end.)
• Be a “fly on the wall”: If you had been present, what sights, sounds, tastes, smells and textures would you have experienced?
• Let God put you in the passage, perhaps becoming the person Jesus is speaking to. Let Jesus look you in the eyes, sitting face to face, and speak to you. What do sense as Jesus speaks to you? What facial expressions do you notice?
• Use your imagination, but still be WORD-centered
• Approach Scripture in non-controlling manner: Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls.
– James 1:21
Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."
Then Jesus told them this parable: "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. (Luke 15:1-7)
***Taken from Jan Johnson’s Seminar
Monday, January 19, 2009
Longing - What do you want from God?
One question I wrestled with was, "What one thing do I want from God?" I continue to go back to God with this question.
Spend this week meditating on Psalm 42 as you meditate on this passage as yourself, "What do I want from God?" There are some more reflection questions below that you might find helpful. I have found that God is there in my own longing. God and His Spirit must have initiated my own longing for Him. If you find yourself wanting or longing for God, try and discern his presence in the midst.
Psalm 42
1 As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? 3 My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, "Where is your God?"
4 These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng.
5 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and 6 my God. My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.
7 Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. 8 By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me- a prayer to the God of my life.
9 I say to God my Rock, "Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?"
10 My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, "Where is your God?"
11 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
If you want to identify me,
" Ask me not where I live
Or what I like to eat,
Or how I comb my hair
But ask me what I am living for,
In detail and ask me
What I think is keeping me
From living fully for the thing
I want to live for"
Thomas Merton, My argument with the Gestapo
Suggested Questions for Reflection
• What are you longing for in your relationship with God?
• Where are you experiencing God in your life right now?
• What is at the root of your most deepest and persistent longing?
• Who are you longing to be?
• Where are you not living out of your true identity in Christ?
Spend this week meditating on Psalm 42 as you meditate on this passage as yourself, "What do I want from God?" There are some more reflection questions below that you might find helpful. I have found that God is there in my own longing. God and His Spirit must have initiated my own longing for Him. If you find yourself wanting or longing for God, try and discern his presence in the midst.
Psalm 42
1 As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? 3 My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, "Where is your God?"
4 These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng.
5 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and 6 my God. My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.
7 Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. 8 By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me- a prayer to the God of my life.
9 I say to God my Rock, "Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?"
10 My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, "Where is your God?"
11 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
If you want to identify me,
" Ask me not where I live
Or what I like to eat,
Or how I comb my hair
But ask me what I am living for,
In detail and ask me
What I think is keeping me
From living fully for the thing
I want to live for"
Thomas Merton, My argument with the Gestapo
Suggested Questions for Reflection
• What are you longing for in your relationship with God?
• Where are you experiencing God in your life right now?
• What is at the root of your most deepest and persistent longing?
• Who are you longing to be?
• Where are you not living out of your true identity in Christ?
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Prayer of Recollection
The prayer of recollection is a prayer to separate one from their own strength and cling to the robe of God. The prayer opens one's soul and prepares one to meet God in truth and to be open to the false-self and personal Idolatry in the presence of God’s love.
Psalm 131:2
But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.
Psalm 116:7
Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.
John 17:22,23,26
I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.
Ephesians 3:16-19
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Prayer of Recollection
Adapted from John H. Coe
I. I affirm that I am a finite physical body.
My body is right here. It can't be anywhere else. {I reflect on how my body is feeling at the moment, e.g., tired, sore, full, hungry, or whatever.} My body is limited. It needs rest and care. I can only do so many tasks at once. I cannot meet everyone's wishes. I cannot meet even my own ambitions and desires. I am grateful for the fact that I am not God. Only God can meet all the needs that surround me.
(Confess any idolatry.)
II. I affirm that I am a finite spirit.
A. Disregard all the potential idols of your soul.
I confess my idolatries and false identities. I expose and invalidate all the ways I have tried to find my identity in the wrong way or have tried to find my value in my roles and functions and abilities. I affirm that I am not defined by my abilities, my virtues, or my vices. At my deepest place, I am not my behaviors, my feelings, my personality quirks, my gifts and talents, my good or bad choices. I am not defined by how I perform or what other people think of me.
At the core of my spirit, I am not a father or a mother. I am not a husband or a wife. I am not a daughter or a son. I am not a friend. I am not a student. I am not a kind person. I am not an angry person. I’m not a……….
B. Affirm the reality of your soul’s true identity.
I affirm the truth of my soul's true identity. I am God’s beloved created for union with Him. In my deepest place, I am a naked spirit clothed in the righteousness of Christ. I am precious in God's eyes. From all eternity, God calls me His beloved. He holds me in an everlasting embrace.
III. Examine how you have been approaching God
Have I been praying to God as if He was a genie? Have I been praying to God know that He, too, has a will? Has my will alone been consulted? Have I been using God as an idol to meet my needs? Have I been acknowledging him as if He is the Good Shepherd of my life?
I have not been praying to you as if you were really here holding me in love all day. I have not prayed to you as if you really love me as I am, your beloved. I have not sought your will or relied on you; I have relied on myself again all day.
Please forgive me for my idolatry. Help me to hide in your loving embrace and seek your will and direction throughout the day. Help me become secure, abiding in that loved place with you, that I may go out from here to love and serve others without confusion about who I am or what you would have me do
Resolve to keep your heart and mind attentive to God. Align your will to His will. Be receptive, silent, and still.
Psalm 131:2
But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.
Psalm 116:7
Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.
John 17:22,23,26
I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.
Ephesians 3:16-19
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Prayer of Recollection
Adapted from John H. Coe
I. I affirm that I am a finite physical body.
My body is right here. It can't be anywhere else. {I reflect on how my body is feeling at the moment, e.g., tired, sore, full, hungry, or whatever.} My body is limited. It needs rest and care. I can only do so many tasks at once. I cannot meet everyone's wishes. I cannot meet even my own ambitions and desires. I am grateful for the fact that I am not God. Only God can meet all the needs that surround me.
(Confess any idolatry.)
II. I affirm that I am a finite spirit.
A. Disregard all the potential idols of your soul.
I confess my idolatries and false identities. I expose and invalidate all the ways I have tried to find my identity in the wrong way or have tried to find my value in my roles and functions and abilities. I affirm that I am not defined by my abilities, my virtues, or my vices. At my deepest place, I am not my behaviors, my feelings, my personality quirks, my gifts and talents, my good or bad choices. I am not defined by how I perform or what other people think of me.
At the core of my spirit, I am not a father or a mother. I am not a husband or a wife. I am not a daughter or a son. I am not a friend. I am not a student. I am not a kind person. I am not an angry person. I’m not a……….
B. Affirm the reality of your soul’s true identity.
I affirm the truth of my soul's true identity. I am God’s beloved created for union with Him. In my deepest place, I am a naked spirit clothed in the righteousness of Christ. I am precious in God's eyes. From all eternity, God calls me His beloved. He holds me in an everlasting embrace.
III. Examine how you have been approaching God
Have I been praying to God as if He was a genie? Have I been praying to God know that He, too, has a will? Has my will alone been consulted? Have I been using God as an idol to meet my needs? Have I been acknowledging him as if He is the Good Shepherd of my life?
I have not been praying to you as if you were really here holding me in love all day. I have not prayed to you as if you really love me as I am, your beloved. I have not sought your will or relied on you; I have relied on myself again all day.
Please forgive me for my idolatry. Help me to hide in your loving embrace and seek your will and direction throughout the day. Help me become secure, abiding in that loved place with you, that I may go out from here to love and serve others without confusion about who I am or what you would have me do
Resolve to keep your heart and mind attentive to God. Align your will to His will. Be receptive, silent, and still.
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