Silence
This week might seem like a bit of a cop-out on my part, but all I would like to suggest for this week's prayer is that you simply sit quietly and breathe in and out during your prayer time.
Don't just do something: sit there!
You will probably find it helpful to begin by saying a short prayer; "God be with me" will do, as you breath in and out gently and relax your body. But then just sit still.
Thoughts will rise up, but don't pursue them; just let them go as if they are clouds drifting across the sky.
If you find yourself chasing after them or worrying about them, come back to your breathing again.
At the end of the prayer time, thank God for being with you.
More on silent prayer
Article on silence by Paula Huston
The Big Silence - BBC2 takes five volunteers to experience silence at Worth Abbey.
Silence in the City
Monday, March 31, 2014
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Mothering Sunday
Many thanks to all who made posies for our Mothering Sunday service today (pictured in front of our Lent altar frontal.) I don't think Jesus is meant to be offering us the flowers, but I am sure he would have done if he'd been given the chance...
Many thanks too, to those who baked cakes and sold them after the service - they were as good as they look. (Thanks to Jenny Elliott for the photo). Thank you to the choir as well, for a great rendition of "For the beauty of the earth."
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Teach us to pray 22
Creative prayer
To read more about Creative prayer see Monday's post here.
Be someone else for a change
When Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Jesus saw the crowds, not just as a mass of people, but as individuals, harassed and helpless. Often we forget that those we see on the news or in the shops, or on the train on the commute to work are individuals, each with a story. Many will be carrying all sorts of burdens we will never know about.
Today's suggestion is:
Either - find some pictures of people from a newspaper or online news site.
Or - take some time just to sit in a place where there are a lot of people. Look at the strangers around you (don't stare intrusively, or they will probably have you arrested...!).
Whether you are looking at photos or real people, think about who they might be and what their lives might be like. Think about how they might be feeling and why. You won't know whether your guesses are right, of course, but think about what it would be like to live their lives and quietly pray for them.
Be aware of how this changes the way you feel about those people.
To read more about Creative prayer see Monday's post here.
Be someone else for a change
When Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Jesus saw the crowds, not just as a mass of people, but as individuals, harassed and helpless. Often we forget that those we see on the news or in the shops, or on the train on the commute to work are individuals, each with a story. Many will be carrying all sorts of burdens we will never know about.
Today's suggestion is:
Either - find some pictures of people from a newspaper or online news site.
Or - take some time just to sit in a place where there are a lot of people. Look at the strangers around you (don't stare intrusively, or they will probably have you arrested...!).
Whether you are looking at photos or real people, think about who they might be and what their lives might be like. Think about how they might be feeling and why. You won't know whether your guesses are right, of course, but think about what it would be like to live their lives and quietly pray for them.
Be aware of how this changes the way you feel about those people.
Friday, March 28, 2014
Teach us to pray 21
Creative prayer
To read more about Creative prayer see Monday's post here.
Memory Book
An exercise that is sometime used to help people deal with bereavement is to make a memory book or box, gathering things together that remind them of the person they have lost. Sometimes parents or grandparents of young children might make one if they know they are dying, so that the child will have something to hold onto of them when they die.
But why confine this to such tragic circumstances.
Today's suggestion is that you think about what you would put in a memory book or box to sum up your life so far. (You could even make a memory book or box if you have time).
Think through your life. What are the key things, the important people, the events that changed your life for good or ill, the decisions, good and bad, which shaped you? What would you want to leave with those you love or bequeath to the future from your life?
As you ponder them ask God whether there is any "unfinished business" you need to deal with, or things you wanted to do which you have been putting off.
To read more about Creative prayer see Monday's post here.
Memory Book
An exercise that is sometime used to help people deal with bereavement is to make a memory book or box, gathering things together that remind them of the person they have lost. Sometimes parents or grandparents of young children might make one if they know they are dying, so that the child will have something to hold onto of them when they die.
But why confine this to such tragic circumstances.
Today's suggestion is that you think about what you would put in a memory book or box to sum up your life so far. (You could even make a memory book or box if you have time).
Think through your life. What are the key things, the important people, the events that changed your life for good or ill, the decisions, good and bad, which shaped you? What would you want to leave with those you love or bequeath to the future from your life?
As you ponder them ask God whether there is any "unfinished business" you need to deal with, or things you wanted to do which you have been putting off.
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Teach us to pray 20
Creative prayer
To read more about Creative prayer see Monday's post here.
Draw an outline of a cross on a piece of paper.
Fill it in however you like.
You could write words which suggest what the cross means to you.
You could draw or make patterns on it.
You could draw things that represent the things you want to pray for.
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Teach us to pray 19
Creative prayer
To read more about Creative prayer see Monday's post here.
A letter to God
Today's suggestion is just what it sounds like.
Write a letter to God.
Tell him whatever you want to.
Don't worry about your spelling or handwriting - he can read it just fine.
You could draw pictures instead of writing if you prefer.
You might want to decorate your letter in some way.
When you have written the letter, what will you do with it?
You might want to burn it, or tear it up.
You might want to keep it.
You might want to share it with someone you trust.
You might want to bring it to church and put it in the prayer basket, which is brought up to the altar during the service (I destroy anything in the basket after the service without reading it, so your prayers are between you and God.)
If you like writing, why not do some more of it as a prayer activity?
You could write poems, stories or keep a journal.
To read more about Creative prayer see Monday's post here.
A letter to God
Today's suggestion is just what it sounds like.
Write a letter to God.
Tell him whatever you want to.
Don't worry about your spelling or handwriting - he can read it just fine.
You could draw pictures instead of writing if you prefer.
You might want to decorate your letter in some way.
When you have written the letter, what will you do with it?
You might want to burn it, or tear it up.
You might want to keep it.
You might want to share it with someone you trust.
You might want to bring it to church and put it in the prayer basket, which is brought up to the altar during the service (I destroy anything in the basket after the service without reading it, so your prayers are between you and God.)
If you like writing, why not do some more of it as a prayer activity?
You could write poems, stories or keep a journal.
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Teach us to pray 18
Creative prayer
To read more about Creative prayer see Monday's post here.
Here is the second suggestion for creative prayer...
Prayer beads
Many religious traditions use prayer beads of some sort. We are probably most familiar with the Catholic rosary, but Muslims also often pray using a string of beads, as do other faiths.
The number of beads varies, and so do the prayers assigned to them.
That means that there really is no right or wrong way of using them!
So...
Find some beads, buttons, cut up bits of tubing or straws... anything you can thread onto a string.
Find some string, or ribbon, or shoelace...anything you like that beads can be threaded onto.
If you haven't got any beads or buttons, you can do this exercise simply by tying knots in the string. The aim is simply to have a number of things to feel with your fingers which will act as prompts for prayer.
Assemble your objects. Start by choosing one to be the centring bead, which you will start your prayer with it. Thread it, then tie a knot to keep it in place. If you are simply knotting your string, just tie one large knot.
Then think of the things you want to pray for on a regular basis, and choose a bead for each. You might like to have a bead for thanksgiving, a bead for confession, beads for members of your family, a bead for prayer for those you know who are in need, a bead to remind you to pray for something you've seen or heard on the news, a bead that represents the day that is gone, or the day that is to come... It is up to you. Christians have often also assigned classic prayers, like the Lord's Prayer to beads. If there are some favourite prayers or Bible verses you'd like to include you could do that. Don't have so many that you can't remember what they are though!
To use the beads, start with the centring bead, and hold it as you take a moment to remember that God is with you.
You might like to pray "God be with me in this place."
Slowly work through each bead, holding it for a moment as you pray for whatever it prompts you to. Don't rush, and don't feel you have to say a lot - just holding that person or issue in your mind in God's presence is enough.
This is a good site for the creative use of prayer beads.
To read more about Creative prayer see Monday's post here.
Here is the second suggestion for creative prayer...
Prayer beads
Many religious traditions use prayer beads of some sort. We are probably most familiar with the Catholic rosary, but Muslims also often pray using a string of beads, as do other faiths.
The number of beads varies, and so do the prayers assigned to them.
That means that there really is no right or wrong way of using them!
So...
Find some beads, buttons, cut up bits of tubing or straws... anything you can thread onto a string.
Find some string, or ribbon, or shoelace...anything you like that beads can be threaded onto.
If you haven't got any beads or buttons, you can do this exercise simply by tying knots in the string. The aim is simply to have a number of things to feel with your fingers which will act as prompts for prayer.
Assemble your objects. Start by choosing one to be the centring bead, which you will start your prayer with it. Thread it, then tie a knot to keep it in place. If you are simply knotting your string, just tie one large knot.
Then think of the things you want to pray for on a regular basis, and choose a bead for each. You might like to have a bead for thanksgiving, a bead for confession, beads for members of your family, a bead for prayer for those you know who are in need, a bead to remind you to pray for something you've seen or heard on the news, a bead that represents the day that is gone, or the day that is to come... It is up to you. Christians have often also assigned classic prayers, like the Lord's Prayer to beads. If there are some favourite prayers or Bible verses you'd like to include you could do that. Don't have so many that you can't remember what they are though!
To use the beads, start with the centring bead, and hold it as you take a moment to remember that God is with you.
You might like to pray "God be with me in this place."
Slowly work through each bead, holding it for a moment as you pray for whatever it prompts you to. Don't rush, and don't feel you have to say a lot - just holding that person or issue in your mind in God's presence is enough.
This is a good site for the creative use of prayer beads.
http://www.ucc.org/feed-your-spirit/practices/prayer-beads.html
Monday, March 24, 2014
Teach us to pray 17
Creative prayer
God the Creator made us in his image according to the Book of Genesis (Gen 1.26). That means that we are creative too. It is a characteristic of human beings from our earliest history, when our ancestors drew on cave walls or made statues of beings that had never existed, except in their imagination. You might not think of yourself as creative - many people were put off at school by feeling that their attempts at creativity were being judged and found wanting, or that they just couldn't produce finished work that looked as good as that of their friends or teachers.
But if we stop worrying about "getting it right" we can all discover the joy of being creative.
Creativity takes many forms. You can draw, paint, sew, knit, make things out of wood or metal or paper, you can compose a song or write a poem or plant a garden or just arrange some things you like in a way that pleases you...
This week I will be encouraging you to try your hand at some creative activities. None of them are complicated or difficult, and no one will judge what you have made. Some activities might come more naturally to you than others, but try them all. As with all the other prayer suggestions in this series of Lenten blog posts, the hope is that somewhere in all of this you will find some new ways of praying that help you to come into God's presence.
Here is the first suggestion
The colour of prayer
Print out a mandala - a circular pattern - and colour it in.
You can find the same mandala on a doc. here
Don't think about it too much, just colour as you want to.
As you do so, be aware of what you are thinking and feeling.
Allow yourself to talk to God, as if he was sitting beside you as you colour.
When you have finished, look at the colours you have chosen.
Why those?
What does the finished work remind you of? What mood does
it seem to capture?
You might like to draw your own mandala, or make a pattern with doodles and colour that in too...
God the Creator made us in his image according to the Book of Genesis (Gen 1.26). That means that we are creative too. It is a characteristic of human beings from our earliest history, when our ancestors drew on cave walls or made statues of beings that had never existed, except in their imagination. You might not think of yourself as creative - many people were put off at school by feeling that their attempts at creativity were being judged and found wanting, or that they just couldn't produce finished work that looked as good as that of their friends or teachers.
But if we stop worrying about "getting it right" we can all discover the joy of being creative.
Creativity takes many forms. You can draw, paint, sew, knit, make things out of wood or metal or paper, you can compose a song or write a poem or plant a garden or just arrange some things you like in a way that pleases you...
This week I will be encouraging you to try your hand at some creative activities. None of them are complicated or difficult, and no one will judge what you have made. Some activities might come more naturally to you than others, but try them all. As with all the other prayer suggestions in this series of Lenten blog posts, the hope is that somewhere in all of this you will find some new ways of praying that help you to come into God's presence.
Here is the first suggestion
The colour of prayer
Print out a mandala - a circular pattern - and colour it in.
 |
| http://100creativeideas.blogspot.co.uk/2006/11/25-mandala-coloring-pages.html |
Don't think about it too much, just colour as you want to.
As you do so, be aware of what you are thinking and feeling.
Allow yourself to talk to God, as if he was sitting beside you as you colour.
When you have finished, look at the colours you have chosen.
Why those?
What does the finished work remind you of? What mood does
it seem to capture?
You might like to draw your own mandala, or make a pattern with doodles and colour that in too...
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Teach us to pray 16
Praying with the Bible: Ignatian Meditation
For more detail about Ignatian Meditation see here.
Be still and quiet. Thank God for being with you as you pray.
Read the Bible passage through a couple of times.
Close your eyes if this helps you to imagine the scene.
Ask yourself:
What can I see? Look around in your imagination- what is straight ahead of you, to the right, to the left? What are you standing or sitting on? What can you hear? What can you feel? What is the weather like? Imagine the scene as vividly as you can.
Then imagine the events of the story unfolding.
Where and who are you in this story? Are you a bystander? A disciple? At the heart of events or on the margins?
What do you say or do in response to the events of the story?
What does Jesus say or do?
How do you feel?
Allow yourself time to imagine the scene. If you find it difficult to let your imagination run free, try imagining yourself telling someone else what is happening.
Ponder your reactions and share them with God in prayer, saying whatever it is you need to say, and listening for his response.
Read: Luke 24.1-12
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, the women came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.’ Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.
For more detail about Ignatian Meditation see here.
Be still and quiet. Thank God for being with you as you pray.
Read the Bible passage through a couple of times.
Close your eyes if this helps you to imagine the scene.
Ask yourself:
What can I see? Look around in your imagination- what is straight ahead of you, to the right, to the left? What are you standing or sitting on? What can you hear? What can you feel? What is the weather like? Imagine the scene as vividly as you can.
Then imagine the events of the story unfolding.
Where and who are you in this story? Are you a bystander? A disciple? At the heart of events or on the margins?
What do you say or do in response to the events of the story?
What does Jesus say or do?
How do you feel?
Allow yourself time to imagine the scene. If you find it difficult to let your imagination run free, try imagining yourself telling someone else what is happening.
Ponder your reactions and share them with God in prayer, saying whatever it is you need to say, and listening for his response.
Read: Luke 24.1-12
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, the women came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.’ Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.
Friday, March 21, 2014
Teach us to pray 15
Praying with the Bible: Ignatian Meditation
For more detail about Ignatian Meditation see here.http://sealpeterandpaul.blogspot.com/2014/03/teach-us-to-pray-11.html
Be still and quiet. Thank God for being with you as you pray.
Read the Bible passage through a couple of times.
Close your eyes if this helps you to imagine the scene.
Ask yourself:
What can I see? Look around in your imagination- what is straight ahead of you, to the right, to the left? What are you standing or sitting on? What can you hear? What can you feel? What is the weather like? Imagine the scene as vividly as you can.
Then imagine the events of the story unfolding.
Where and who are you in this story? Are you a bystander? A disciple? At the heart of events or on the margins?
What do you say or do in response to the events of the story?
What does Jesus say or do?
How do you feel?
Allow yourself time to imagine the scene. If you find it difficult to let your imagination run free, try imagining yourself telling someone else what is happening.
Ponder your reactions and share them with God in prayer, saying whatever it is you need to say, and listening for his response.
Read: Luke 23. 50-56
Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph, who, though a member of the council, had not agreed to their plan and action. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea, and he was waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had ever been laid. It was the day of Preparation, and the sabbath was beginning. The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments.
On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
For more detail about Ignatian Meditation see here.http://sealpeterandpaul.blogspot.com/2014/03/teach-us-to-pray-11.html
Be still and quiet. Thank God for being with you as you pray.
Read the Bible passage through a couple of times.
Close your eyes if this helps you to imagine the scene.
Ask yourself:
What can I see? Look around in your imagination- what is straight ahead of you, to the right, to the left? What are you standing or sitting on? What can you hear? What can you feel? What is the weather like? Imagine the scene as vividly as you can.
Then imagine the events of the story unfolding.
Where and who are you in this story? Are you a bystander? A disciple? At the heart of events or on the margins?
What do you say or do in response to the events of the story?
What does Jesus say or do?
How do you feel?
Allow yourself time to imagine the scene. If you find it difficult to let your imagination run free, try imagining yourself telling someone else what is happening.
Ponder your reactions and share them with God in prayer, saying whatever it is you need to say, and listening for his response.
Read: Luke 23. 50-56
Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph, who, though a member of the council, had not agreed to their plan and action. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea, and he was waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had ever been laid. It was the day of Preparation, and the sabbath was beginning. The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments.
On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Teach us to pray 14
Praying with the Bible: Ignatian Meditation
For more detail about Ignatian Meditation see here.http://sealpeterandpaul.blogspot.com/2014/03/teach-us-to-pray-11.html
Be still and quiet. Thank God for being with you as you pray.
Read the Bible passage through a couple of times.
Close your eyes if this helps you to imagine the scene.
Ask yourself:
What can I see? Look around in your imagination- what is straight ahead of you, to the right, to the left? What are you standing or sitting on? What can you hear? What can you feel? What is the weather like? Imagine the scene as vividly as you can.
Then imagine the events of the story unfolding.
Where and who are you in this story? Are you a bystander? A disciple? At the heart of events or on the margins?
What do you say or do in response to the events of the story?
What does Jesus say or do?
How do you feel?
Allow yourself time to imagine the scene. If you find it difficult to let your imagination run free, try imagining yourself telling someone else what is happening.
Ponder your reactions and share them with God in prayer, saying whatever it is you need to say, and listening for his response.
Read: Luke 23. 44-49
It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.’ Having said this, he breathed his last. When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, ‘Certainly this man was innocent.’ And when all the crowds who had gathered there for this spectacle saw what had taken place, they returned home, beating their breasts. But all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.
For more detail about Ignatian Meditation see here.http://sealpeterandpaul.blogspot.com/2014/03/teach-us-to-pray-11.html
Be still and quiet. Thank God for being with you as you pray.
Read the Bible passage through a couple of times.
Close your eyes if this helps you to imagine the scene.
Ask yourself:
What can I see? Look around in your imagination- what is straight ahead of you, to the right, to the left? What are you standing or sitting on? What can you hear? What can you feel? What is the weather like? Imagine the scene as vividly as you can.
Then imagine the events of the story unfolding.
Where and who are you in this story? Are you a bystander? A disciple? At the heart of events or on the margins?
What do you say or do in response to the events of the story?
What does Jesus say or do?
How do you feel?
Allow yourself time to imagine the scene. If you find it difficult to let your imagination run free, try imagining yourself telling someone else what is happening.
Ponder your reactions and share them with God in prayer, saying whatever it is you need to say, and listening for his response.
Read: Luke 23. 44-49
It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.’ Having said this, he breathed his last. When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, ‘Certainly this man was innocent.’ And when all the crowds who had gathered there for this spectacle saw what had taken place, they returned home, beating their breasts. But all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Teach us to pray 13
Praying with the Bible: Ignatian Meditation
For more detail about Ignatian Meditation see here.
Be still and quiet. Thank God for being with you as you pray.
Read the Bible passage through a couple of times.
Close your eyes if this helps you to imagine the scene.
Ask yourself:
What can I see? Look around in your imagination- what is straight ahead of you, to the right, to the left? What are you standing or sitting on? What can you hear? What can you feel? What is the weather like? Imagine the scene as vividly as you can.
Then imagine the events of the story unfolding.
Where and who are you in this story? Are you a bystander? A disciple? At the heart of events or on the margins?
What do you say or do in response to the events of the story?
What does Jesus say or do?
How do you feel?
Allow yourself time to imagine the scene. If you find it difficult to let your imagination run free, try imagining yourself telling someone else what is happening.
Ponder your reactions and share them with God in prayer, saying whatever it is you need to say, and listening for his response.
Read: Luke 9.28-36
Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah’—not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!’ When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.
For more detail about Ignatian Meditation see here.
Be still and quiet. Thank God for being with you as you pray.
Read the Bible passage through a couple of times.
Close your eyes if this helps you to imagine the scene.
Ask yourself:
What can I see? Look around in your imagination- what is straight ahead of you, to the right, to the left? What are you standing or sitting on? What can you hear? What can you feel? What is the weather like? Imagine the scene as vividly as you can.
Then imagine the events of the story unfolding.
Where and who are you in this story? Are you a bystander? A disciple? At the heart of events or on the margins?
What do you say or do in response to the events of the story?
What does Jesus say or do?
How do you feel?
Allow yourself time to imagine the scene. If you find it difficult to let your imagination run free, try imagining yourself telling someone else what is happening.
Ponder your reactions and share them with God in prayer, saying whatever it is you need to say, and listening for his response.
Read: Luke 9.28-36
Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah’—not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!’ When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Teach us to pray 12
Praying with the Bible: Ignatian Meditation
For more detail about Ignatian Meditation see here.
Be still and quiet. Thank God for being with you as you pray.
Read the Bible passage through a couple of times.
Close your eyes if this helps you to imagine the scene.
Ask yourself:
What can I see? Look around in your imagination- what is straight ahead of you, to the right, to the left? What are you standing or sitting on? What can you hear? What can you feel? What is the weather like? Imagine the scene as vividly as you can.
Then imagine the events of the story unfolding.
Where and who are you in this story? Are you a bystander? A disciple? At the heart of events or on the margins?
What do you say or do in response to the events of the story?
What does Jesus say or do?
How do you feel?
Allow yourself time to imagine the scene. If you find it difficult to let your imagination run free, try imagining yourself telling someone else what is happening.
Ponder your reactions and share them with God in prayer, saying whatever it is you need to say, and listening for his response.
Read: Luke 6.6-11
On another sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught, and there was a man there whose right hand was withered. The scribes and the Pharisees watched him to see whether he would cure on the sabbath, so that they might find an accusation against him. Even though he knew what they were thinking, he said to the man who had the withered hand, ‘Come and stand here.’ He got up and stood there. Then Jesus said to them, ‘I ask you, is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to destroy it?’ After looking around at all of them, he said to him, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He did so, and his hand was restored. But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.
For more detail about Ignatian Meditation see here.
Be still and quiet. Thank God for being with you as you pray.
Read the Bible passage through a couple of times.
Close your eyes if this helps you to imagine the scene.
Ask yourself:
What can I see? Look around in your imagination- what is straight ahead of you, to the right, to the left? What are you standing or sitting on? What can you hear? What can you feel? What is the weather like? Imagine the scene as vividly as you can.
Then imagine the events of the story unfolding.
Where and who are you in this story? Are you a bystander? A disciple? At the heart of events or on the margins?
What do you say or do in response to the events of the story?
What does Jesus say or do?
How do you feel?
Allow yourself time to imagine the scene. If you find it difficult to let your imagination run free, try imagining yourself telling someone else what is happening.
Ponder your reactions and share them with God in prayer, saying whatever it is you need to say, and listening for his response.
Read: Luke 6.6-11
On another sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught, and there was a man there whose right hand was withered. The scribes and the Pharisees watched him to see whether he would cure on the sabbath, so that they might find an accusation against him. Even though he knew what they were thinking, he said to the man who had the withered hand, ‘Come and stand here.’ He got up and stood there. Then Jesus said to them, ‘I ask you, is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to destroy it?’ After looking around at all of them, he said to him, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He did so, and his hand was restored. But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.
Monday, March 17, 2014
Teach us to pray 11
Praying with the Bible: Ignatian meditation
St Ignatius Loyola was a 16th Century Spanish nobleman who, as a young man, had something of a reputation as a swashbuckling hothead, much addicted to stirring tales of historic heroes like El Cid.
Seriously wounded when the French attached Pamplona in 1521 he was laid up for a long period and in great pain. During this time, alongside the heroic tales he was so fond of he also read De Vita Christi,(of the life of Christ) by Ludolph of Saxony, in which Ludolph proposes to the reader that he should place himself imaginatively in the scenes of Christ's life as a form of contemplation. This appealed very much to Ignatius, and he found himself profoundly moved, challenged and comforted. His heroic instincts turned towards the religious life and he eventually founded the Jesuit Order of missionaries. He developed Ludolph's techniques into what became known as the Spiritual Exercises. At the heart of these was the imaginative reading of the Bible which enabled people to feel part of the story they were reading and to be aware of their reactions to it, so that they could better hear what God was saying to them through it.
The experience will vary, of course, depending on the Bible passage, but here is a brief outline of how you could begin.
Be still and quiet. Thank God for being with you as you pray.
Read the Bible passage through a couple of times.
Close your eyes if this helps you to imagine the scene.
Ask yourself:
What can I see? Look around in your imagination- what is straight ahead of you, to the right, to the left? What are you standing or sitting on? What can you hear? What can you feel? What is the weather like? Imagine the scene as vividly as you can.
Then imagine the events of the story unfolding.
Where and who are you in this story? Are you a bystander? A disciple? At the heart of events or on the margins?
What do you say or do in response to the events of the story?
What does Jesus say or do?
How do you feel?
Allow yourself time to imagine the scene. If you find it difficult to let your imagination run free, try imagining yourself telling someone else what is happening.
Ponder your reactions and share them with God in prayer, saying whatever it is you need to say, and listening for his response.
Read: Luke 5. 1-11
Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.’ Simon answered, ‘Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.’ When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. So they signalled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!’ For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.’ When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.
St Ignatius Loyola was a 16th Century Spanish nobleman who, as a young man, had something of a reputation as a swashbuckling hothead, much addicted to stirring tales of historic heroes like El Cid.
Seriously wounded when the French attached Pamplona in 1521 he was laid up for a long period and in great pain. During this time, alongside the heroic tales he was so fond of he also read De Vita Christi,(of the life of Christ) by Ludolph of Saxony, in which Ludolph proposes to the reader that he should place himself imaginatively in the scenes of Christ's life as a form of contemplation. This appealed very much to Ignatius, and he found himself profoundly moved, challenged and comforted. His heroic instincts turned towards the religious life and he eventually founded the Jesuit Order of missionaries. He developed Ludolph's techniques into what became known as the Spiritual Exercises. At the heart of these was the imaginative reading of the Bible which enabled people to feel part of the story they were reading and to be aware of their reactions to it, so that they could better hear what God was saying to them through it.
The experience will vary, of course, depending on the Bible passage, but here is a brief outline of how you could begin.
Be still and quiet. Thank God for being with you as you pray.
Read the Bible passage through a couple of times.
Close your eyes if this helps you to imagine the scene.
Ask yourself:
What can I see? Look around in your imagination- what is straight ahead of you, to the right, to the left? What are you standing or sitting on? What can you hear? What can you feel? What is the weather like? Imagine the scene as vividly as you can.
Then imagine the events of the story unfolding.
Where and who are you in this story? Are you a bystander? A disciple? At the heart of events or on the margins?
What do you say or do in response to the events of the story?
What does Jesus say or do?
How do you feel?
Allow yourself time to imagine the scene. If you find it difficult to let your imagination run free, try imagining yourself telling someone else what is happening.
Ponder your reactions and share them with God in prayer, saying whatever it is you need to say, and listening for his response.
Read: Luke 5. 1-11
Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.’ Simon answered, ‘Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.’ When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. So they signalled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!’ For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.’ When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Teach us to pray: 10
Praying with the Bible: Lectio Divina (For more about this technique see here.)
Sit quietly and be aware of coming into the presence of God. Ask for God's help as you read so that you can hear his voice.
Read the passage several times slowly.
As you read , be aware of any particular word or phrase which stands out for you.
Repeat that word or phrase to yourself over and over slowly, like a mantra. Allow yourself to be aware of any thoughts or associations that come to your mind as you repeat the words and just stay with those thoughts. As your prayer time ends, be aware of what thoughts or questions you might be taking away from it, and thank God for these.
Psalm 119: 1-8
Happy are those whose way is blameless,
who walk in the law of the Lord.
Happy are those who keep his decrees,
who seek him with their whole heart,
who also do no wrong,
but walk in his ways.
You have commanded your precepts
to be kept diligently.
O that my ways may be steadfast
in keeping your statutes!
Then I shall not be put to shame,
having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
I will praise you with an upright heart,
when I learn your righteous ordinances.
I will observe your statutes;
do not utterly forsake me.
Sit quietly and be aware of coming into the presence of God. Ask for God's help as you read so that you can hear his voice.
Read the passage several times slowly.
As you read , be aware of any particular word or phrase which stands out for you.
Repeat that word or phrase to yourself over and over slowly, like a mantra. Allow yourself to be aware of any thoughts or associations that come to your mind as you repeat the words and just stay with those thoughts. As your prayer time ends, be aware of what thoughts or questions you might be taking away from it, and thank God for these.
Psalm 119: 1-8
Happy are those whose way is blameless,
who walk in the law of the Lord.
Happy are those who keep his decrees,
who seek him with their whole heart,
who also do no wrong,
but walk in his ways.
You have commanded your precepts
to be kept diligently.
O that my ways may be steadfast
in keeping your statutes!
Then I shall not be put to shame,
having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
I will praise you with an upright heart,
when I learn your righteous ordinances.
I will observe your statutes;
do not utterly forsake me.
Friday, March 14, 2014
Teach us to pray: 9
Praying with the Bible: Lectio Divina (For more about this technique see here.)
Sit quietly and be aware of coming into the presence of God. Ask for God's help as you read so that you can hear his voice.
Read the passage several times slowly.
As you read , be aware of any particular word or phrase which stands out for you.
Repeat that word or phrase to yourself over and over slowly, like a mantra. Allow yourself to be aware of any thoughts or associations that come to your mind as you repeat the words and just stay with those thoughts. As your prayer time ends, be aware of what thoughts or questions you might be taking away from it, and thank God for these.
Psalm 130
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to the voice of my supplications!
If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
Lord, who could stand?
But there is forgiveness with you,
so that you may be revered.
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;
my soul waits for the Lord
more than those who watch for the morning,
more than those who watch for the morning.
O Israel, hope in the Lord!
For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
and with him is great power to redeem.
It is he who will redeem Israel
from all its iniquities.
Sit quietly and be aware of coming into the presence of God. Ask for God's help as you read so that you can hear his voice.
Read the passage several times slowly.
As you read , be aware of any particular word or phrase which stands out for you.
Repeat that word or phrase to yourself over and over slowly, like a mantra. Allow yourself to be aware of any thoughts or associations that come to your mind as you repeat the words and just stay with those thoughts. As your prayer time ends, be aware of what thoughts or questions you might be taking away from it, and thank God for these.
Psalm 130
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to the voice of my supplications!
If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
Lord, who could stand?
But there is forgiveness with you,
so that you may be revered.
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;
my soul waits for the Lord
more than those who watch for the morning,
more than those who watch for the morning.
O Israel, hope in the Lord!
For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
and with him is great power to redeem.
It is he who will redeem Israel
from all its iniquities.
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Teach us to pray: 8
Praying with the Bible: Lectio Divina (For more about this technique see here.)
Sit quietly and be aware of coming into the presence of God. Ask for God's help as you read so that you can hear his voice.
Read the passage several times slowly.
As you read , be aware of any particular word or phrase which stands out for you.
Repeat that word or phrase to yourself over and over slowly, like a mantra. Allow yourself to be aware of any thoughts or associations that come to your mind as you repeat the words and just stay with those thoughts. As your prayer time ends, be aware of what thoughts or questions you might be taking away from it, and thank God for these.
Psalm 138
I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;
before the gods I sing your praise;
I bow down towards your holy temple
and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness;
for you have exalted your name and your word
above everything.
On the day I called, you answered me,
you increased my strength of soul.
All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O Lord,
for they have heard the words of your mouth.
They shall sing of the ways of the Lord,
for great is the glory of the Lord.
For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly;
but the haughty he perceives from far away.
Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies;
you stretch out your hand,
and your right hand delivers me.
The Lord will fulfil his purpose for me;
your steadfast love, O Lord, endures for ever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands.
Sit quietly and be aware of coming into the presence of God. Ask for God's help as you read so that you can hear his voice.
Read the passage several times slowly.
As you read , be aware of any particular word or phrase which stands out for you.
Repeat that word or phrase to yourself over and over slowly, like a mantra. Allow yourself to be aware of any thoughts or associations that come to your mind as you repeat the words and just stay with those thoughts. As your prayer time ends, be aware of what thoughts or questions you might be taking away from it, and thank God for these.
Psalm 138
I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;
before the gods I sing your praise;
I bow down towards your holy temple
and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness;
for you have exalted your name and your word
above everything.
On the day I called, you answered me,
you increased my strength of soul.
All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O Lord,
for they have heard the words of your mouth.
They shall sing of the ways of the Lord,
for great is the glory of the Lord.
For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly;
but the haughty he perceives from far away.
Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies;
you stretch out your hand,
and your right hand delivers me.
The Lord will fulfil his purpose for me;
your steadfast love, O Lord, endures for ever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands.
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Teach us to pray: 7
Praying with the Bible: Lectio Divina (For more about this technique see here)
Sit quietly and be aware of coming into the presence of God. Ask for God's help as you read so that you can hear his voice.
Read the passage several times slowly.
As you read , be aware of any particular word or phrase which stands out for you.
Repeat that word or phrase to yourself over and over slowly, like a mantra. Allow yourself to be aware of any thoughts or associations that come to your mind as you repeat the words and just stay with those thoughts. As your prayer time ends, be aware of what thoughts or questions you might be taking away from it, and thank God for these.
Psalm 51
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
Against you, you alone, have I sinned,
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are justified in your sentence
and blameless when you pass judgement.
Indeed, I was born guilty,
a sinner when my mother conceived me.
You desire truth in the inward being;
therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones that you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins,
and blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and put a new and right spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence,
and do not take your holy spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and sustain in me a willing spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will return to you.
Deliver me from bloodshed, O God,
O God of my salvation,
and my tongue will sing aloud of your deliverance.
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
For you have no delight in sacrifice;
if I were to give a burnt-offering, you would not be pleased.
The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Do good to Zion in your good pleasure;
rebuild the walls of Jerusalem,
then you will delight in right sacrifices,
in burnt-offerings and whole burnt-offerings;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.
Sit quietly and be aware of coming into the presence of God. Ask for God's help as you read so that you can hear his voice.
Read the passage several times slowly.
As you read , be aware of any particular word or phrase which stands out for you.
Repeat that word or phrase to yourself over and over slowly, like a mantra. Allow yourself to be aware of any thoughts or associations that come to your mind as you repeat the words and just stay with those thoughts. As your prayer time ends, be aware of what thoughts or questions you might be taking away from it, and thank God for these.
Psalm 51
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
Against you, you alone, have I sinned,
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are justified in your sentence
and blameless when you pass judgement.
Indeed, I was born guilty,
a sinner when my mother conceived me.
You desire truth in the inward being;
therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones that you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins,
and blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and put a new and right spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence,
and do not take your holy spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and sustain in me a willing spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will return to you.
Deliver me from bloodshed, O God,
O God of my salvation,
and my tongue will sing aloud of your deliverance.
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
For you have no delight in sacrifice;
if I were to give a burnt-offering, you would not be pleased.
The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Do good to Zion in your good pleasure;
rebuild the walls of Jerusalem,
then you will delight in right sacrifices,
in burnt-offerings and whole burnt-offerings;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Teach us to pray: 6
Praying with the Bible: Lectio Divina (For more about this technique see here)
Sit quietly and be aware of coming into the presence of God. Ask for God's help as you read so that you can hear his voice.
Read the passage several times slowly.
As you read , be aware of any particular word or phrase which stands out for you.
Repeat that word or phrase to yourself over and over slowly, like a mantra. Allow yourself to be aware of any thoughts or associations that come to your mind as you repeat the words and just stay with those thoughts. As your prayer time ends, be aware of what thoughts or questions you might be taking away from it, and thank God for these.
Sit quietly and be aware of coming into the presence of God. Ask for God's help as you read so that you can hear his voice.
Read the passage several times slowly.
As you read , be aware of any particular word or phrase which stands out for you.
Repeat that word or phrase to yourself over and over slowly, like a mantra. Allow yourself to be aware of any thoughts or associations that come to your mind as you repeat the words and just stay with those thoughts. As your prayer time ends, be aware of what thoughts or questions you might be taking away from it, and thank God for these.
Psalm 34
I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
let the humble hear and be glad.
O magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt his name together.
I sought the Lord, and he answered me,
and delivered me from all my fears.
Look to him, and be radiant;
so your faces shall never be ashamed.
This poor soul cried, and was heard by the Lord,
and was saved from every trouble.
The angel of the Lord encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
O taste and see that the Lord is good;
happy are those who take refuge in him.
O fear the Lord, you his holy ones,
for those who fear him have no want.
The young lions suffer want and hunger,
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
Come, O children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
Which of you desires life,
and covets many days to enjoy good?
Keep your tongue from evil,
and your lips from speaking deceit.
Depart from evil, and do good;
seek peace, and pursue it.
The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their cry.
The face of the Lord is against evildoers,
to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears,
and rescues them from all their troubles.
The Lord is near to the broken-hearted,
and saves the crushed in spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the Lord rescues them from them all.
He keeps all their bones;
not one of them will be broken.
Evil brings death to the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
The Lord redeems the life of his servants;
none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
let the humble hear and be glad.
O magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt his name together.
I sought the Lord, and he answered me,
and delivered me from all my fears.
Look to him, and be radiant;
so your faces shall never be ashamed.
This poor soul cried, and was heard by the Lord,
and was saved from every trouble.
The angel of the Lord encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
O taste and see that the Lord is good;
happy are those who take refuge in him.
O fear the Lord, you his holy ones,
for those who fear him have no want.
The young lions suffer want and hunger,
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
Come, O children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
Which of you desires life,
and covets many days to enjoy good?
Keep your tongue from evil,
and your lips from speaking deceit.
Depart from evil, and do good;
seek peace, and pursue it.
The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their cry.
The face of the Lord is against evildoers,
to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears,
and rescues them from all their troubles.
The Lord is near to the broken-hearted,
and saves the crushed in spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the Lord rescues them from them all.
He keeps all their bones;
not one of them will be broken.
Evil brings death to the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
The Lord redeems the life of his servants;
none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
Monday, March 10, 2014
Teach us to pray: 5
Praying with the Bible: Lectio Divina
This technique of pondering the Bible originates with the Benedictine monastic order. Lectio Divina literally means "Holy Reading". If we believe that God can speak to us through the words of the Bible then we need to have our ears open when we hear it, not just hearing the surface meaning, but listening for what God might be saying to us through it.
The technique of Lectio Divina asks us to read slowly and to repeat to ourselves words or phrases which stand out to us. While we also might want to ask all sorts of other questions about the passage - what its context is, how the original hearers might have understood it etc. - the focus when we read this way is to be open for what the passage says to us in our own situation. It is important to realise that this won't give us an indepth or critical understanding of the passage; that is something that is also needed, but doesn't always lend itself to prayer.
This week I'd like to invite you to try using this "Lectio Divina" technique during your prayer time.
I have simply chosen one of the set Psalms for each day.
Sit quietly and be aware of coming into the presence of God. Ask for God's help as you read so that you can hear his voice.
Read the passage several times slowly.
As you read , be aware of any particular word or phrase which stands out for you.
Repeat that word or phrase to yourself over and over slowly, like a mantra. Allow yourself to be aware of any thoughts or associations that come to your mind as you repeat the words and just stay with those thoughts. As your prayer time ends, be aware of what thoughts or questions you might be taking away from it, and thank God for these.
Psalm 19: 7-end
The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the decrees of the Lord are sure,
making wise the simple;
the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is clear,
enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring for ever;
the ordinances of the Lord are true
and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey,
and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
But who can detect their errors?
Clear me from hidden faults.
Keep back your servant also from the insolent;
do not let them have dominion over me.
Then I shall be blameless,
and innocent of great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
This technique of pondering the Bible originates with the Benedictine monastic order. Lectio Divina literally means "Holy Reading". If we believe that God can speak to us through the words of the Bible then we need to have our ears open when we hear it, not just hearing the surface meaning, but listening for what God might be saying to us through it.
The technique of Lectio Divina asks us to read slowly and to repeat to ourselves words or phrases which stand out to us. While we also might want to ask all sorts of other questions about the passage - what its context is, how the original hearers might have understood it etc. - the focus when we read this way is to be open for what the passage says to us in our own situation. It is important to realise that this won't give us an indepth or critical understanding of the passage; that is something that is also needed, but doesn't always lend itself to prayer.
This week I'd like to invite you to try using this "Lectio Divina" technique during your prayer time.
I have simply chosen one of the set Psalms for each day.
Sit quietly and be aware of coming into the presence of God. Ask for God's help as you read so that you can hear his voice.
Read the passage several times slowly.
As you read , be aware of any particular word or phrase which stands out for you.
Repeat that word or phrase to yourself over and over slowly, like a mantra. Allow yourself to be aware of any thoughts or associations that come to your mind as you repeat the words and just stay with those thoughts. As your prayer time ends, be aware of what thoughts or questions you might be taking away from it, and thank God for these.
Psalm 19: 7-end
The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the decrees of the Lord are sure,
making wise the simple;
the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is clear,
enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring for ever;
the ordinances of the Lord are true
and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey,
and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
But who can detect their errors?
Clear me from hidden faults.
Keep back your servant also from the insolent;
do not let them have dominion over me.
Then I shall be blameless,
and innocent of great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Saturday, March 08, 2014
Teach us to pray: 4
Ready to pray...?
A time to pray
My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and make melody.
Awake, my soul!
Awake, O harp and lyre! Psalm 108.1
Many faiths have prayers at set times of the day. Muslims pray five times a day, Jewish people pray three times. Christian monks and nuns in contemplative orders pray eight "offices" through the day and night. We may not have time for that, but there is some benefit in the routine and ritual of prayer, whatever its content. We can greet the day with prayer or end it with prayer, or we may find that the lunch break is a good time to stop and take a moment to reflect.
There are online patterns of prayer available if that helps. You could try these sites:
Daily Prayer from the Church of England
Daily Meditation from the Irish Jesuits
Apps for Daily Prayer from the Church of England
Daily Bible reading and prayer guides from the Bible Reading Fellowship (print and digital)
It may be that all you can spare is 5 or 10 minutes. That's fine. It may be that you can't manage to pray everyday either. That's fine too. But thinking of a regular time when you can pray is a good start.
A time to pray
My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and make melody.
Awake, my soul!
Awake, O harp and lyre! Psalm 108.1
Many faiths have prayers at set times of the day. Muslims pray five times a day, Jewish people pray three times. Christian monks and nuns in contemplative orders pray eight "offices" through the day and night. We may not have time for that, but there is some benefit in the routine and ritual of prayer, whatever its content. We can greet the day with prayer or end it with prayer, or we may find that the lunch break is a good time to stop and take a moment to reflect.
There are online patterns of prayer available if that helps. You could try these sites:
Daily Prayer from the Church of England
Daily Meditation from the Irish Jesuits
Apps for Daily Prayer from the Church of England
Daily Bible reading and prayer guides from the Bible Reading Fellowship (print and digital)
It may be that all you can spare is 5 or 10 minutes. That's fine. It may be that you can't manage to pray everyday either. That's fine too. But thinking of a regular time when you can pray is a good start.
- Think through a "normal" day for you. What would be the most natural and helpful time for you to give a little time to prayer?
No Blog post tomorrow - there should be plenty of food for thought as you gather with others to worship in church anyway!
Friday, March 07, 2014
Teach us to pray:3
Ready to pray...?
A place to pray
But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Matthew 6.6
Jesus' instructions to his followers were that they should not imitate those who prayed loudly in public in order to impress others. That doesn't mean we can't pray publicly (otherwise we could never come to church) but it emphasizes that this is about a genuine relationship, which deserves private space, not about simply being seen to be doing something pious.
Creating a special place for prayer can be very helpful if you can manage it. It might be a corner of a room at home where you could put a comfortable chair and a picture that inspires you. It might be somewhere you can set up each time you come to pray, with a picture, perhaps, you carry around with you. You can always slip into church to pray too - Seal Church is normally open during the day time. Or perhaps you have a favourite park bench where you can be undisturbed. It doesn't matter where it is, but it helps if there is somewhere that, when you go there, you know is your "prayer" place.
A place to pray
But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Matthew 6.6
Jesus' instructions to his followers were that they should not imitate those who prayed loudly in public in order to impress others. That doesn't mean we can't pray publicly (otherwise we could never come to church) but it emphasizes that this is about a genuine relationship, which deserves private space, not about simply being seen to be doing something pious.
Creating a special place for prayer can be very helpful if you can manage it. It might be a corner of a room at home where you could put a comfortable chair and a picture that inspires you. It might be somewhere you can set up each time you come to pray, with a picture, perhaps, you carry around with you. You can always slip into church to pray too - Seal Church is normally open during the day time. Or perhaps you have a favourite park bench where you can be undisturbed. It doesn't matter where it is, but it helps if there is somewhere that, when you go there, you know is your "prayer" place.
- Where do you (or might you) pray?
Thursday, March 06, 2014
Teach us to pray: 2
Ready to pray?
Starting where we are
"I have calmed and quieted my soul,
like a weaned child with its mother;
my soul is like the weaned child that is with me." Psalm 131:2
Our attitudes to prayer are often shaped early in life. We may have grown up in a family that prayed, or gone to church or Sunday school and learned to pray there. We may just recall prayer as something tacked onto the end of a school assembly.
We may have tried meditation as part of a self-help or relaxation programme, which may not have had a Christian basis, or have found ourselves turning to prayer in times of crisis, lighting a candle as a wordless appeal to God.
Starting where we are
"I have calmed and quieted my soul,
like a weaned child with its mother;
my soul is like the weaned child that is with me." Psalm 131:2
Our attitudes to prayer are often shaped early in life. We may have grown up in a family that prayed, or gone to church or Sunday school and learned to pray there. We may just recall prayer as something tacked onto the end of a school assembly.
We may have tried meditation as part of a self-help or relaxation programme, which may not have had a Christian basis, or have found ourselves turning to prayer in times of crisis, lighting a candle as a wordless appeal to God.
- Think back through your life. When, where and from whom did you learn to pray?
- How has your prayer life changed since then, if it has?
- What do you feel about prayer now - is it something you want to do, and feel positive about or does it feel like a chore, something you feel you ought to do?
- Think about the verse from the Psalm above. When you begin to pray, do you feel like this?
Wednesday, March 05, 2014
Teach us to pray: 1
Ready to pray...?
Why pray?
You who live in the shelter of the Most High,
who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
will say to the Lord,
"My refuge and my fortress; my God in whom I trust."
Psalm 91.1
There are many reasons why we might be drawn to pray. Sometimes there is an urgent need; we call out for help when we are in trouble. Sometimes we might ponder a story or Bible passage in prayer to deepen our faith. Sometimes, as with other forms of meditation, we might be seeking inner peace.
All these reasons, and others I haven't thought of, are good, but the thing that unites all sorts of prayer is that through them we seek to become more conscious of the presence of God in our lives, simply to be with him. The writer of Psalm 91.1 puts it in a nutshell. It is about abiding in the shadow of the Almighty, not just visiting, but feeling that this is a place where we are at home. If we can get into the habit of awareness of God with us, then when there is something we need to say or to ask, we will be able to do so easily, just as we could easily talk to those we share our homes and hearts with.
Why pray?
You who live in the shelter of the Most High,
who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
will say to the Lord,
"My refuge and my fortress; my God in whom I trust."
Psalm 91.1
There are many reasons why we might be drawn to pray. Sometimes there is an urgent need; we call out for help when we are in trouble. Sometimes we might ponder a story or Bible passage in prayer to deepen our faith. Sometimes, as with other forms of meditation, we might be seeking inner peace.
All these reasons, and others I haven't thought of, are good, but the thing that unites all sorts of prayer is that through them we seek to become more conscious of the presence of God in our lives, simply to be with him. The writer of Psalm 91.1 puts it in a nutshell. It is about abiding in the shadow of the Almighty, not just visiting, but feeling that this is a place where we are at home. If we can get into the habit of awareness of God with us, then when there is something we need to say or to ask, we will be able to do so easily, just as we could easily talk to those we share our homes and hearts with.
- As Lent begins, think about the verse from the Psalm above. Do you feel as if you "live in the shelter of the Most High," or do you think of God as someone you might visit from time to time, or perhaps need to shout to from a great distance?
Tuesday, March 04, 2014
Seal School working party
On Saturday March 29th Seal C of E Primary School will be holding a Parent
Organised Workforce - POW!! There are lots of small decorating jobs to tackle
around the building (and possibly some not so small), and the plan is to involve
as many parents and friends of the school, to come forward and participate in
helping with this work.
This will be a great community project, and anybody wishing to join in will be made more than welcome between 10am and 4pm.
For further details, please contact Liz at the school on 01732 762 348.
This will be a great community project, and anybody wishing to join in will be made more than welcome between 10am and 4pm.
For further details, please contact Liz at the school on 01732 762 348.
Teach us to pray: Introduction
Teach us to pray: introduction
The disciples of Jesus asked him "Lord, teach us to pray..."
Jesus was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.’ He said to them, ‘When you pray, say:
Father,hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.
And do not bring us to the time of trial.’
(Luke 11.1-4)
Just as it is hard to imagine a relationship with friends or family without ever seeing or speaking to them, so prayer is fundamental to our relationship with God. In prayer we come into the presence of God. As Jesus' disciples knew, though, prayer is something we often need help with. Where do we start? What can we do when prayer seems dry? What is prayer anyway?
Many people's idea of prayer is still "hands together, eyes closed", a pattern we may have learned at school and never really revisited since.
These daily blog postings (every day except Sundays) will try to open up different possibilities for prayer to help that relationship with God come alive. They are a companion resource to our Lent Study sessions on the Lord's Prayer, which are part of the Church of England's "Pilgrim" course. The blog posts stand alone, however, so even if you aren't coming to a study group, you can still follow these posts online. The blog posts are my own work rather than those of the group that produced Pilgrim - any deficiencies in them are my fault, not the fault of the Pilgrim team!
The posts will fall into six sections.
We will start with a few days thinking about how we can get ready to pray and then move through various different ways, both old and new - a different one each week - for enriching prayer, from classic techniques of Lectio Divina and Ignatian meditation, to creative ideas for prayer, silence, and liturgical prayer.
The disciples of Jesus asked him "Lord, teach us to pray..."Jesus was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.’ He said to them, ‘When you pray, say:
Father,hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.
And do not bring us to the time of trial.’
(Luke 11.1-4)
Just as it is hard to imagine a relationship with friends or family without ever seeing or speaking to them, so prayer is fundamental to our relationship with God. In prayer we come into the presence of God. As Jesus' disciples knew, though, prayer is something we often need help with. Where do we start? What can we do when prayer seems dry? What is prayer anyway?
Many people's idea of prayer is still "hands together, eyes closed", a pattern we may have learned at school and never really revisited since.
These daily blog postings (every day except Sundays) will try to open up different possibilities for prayer to help that relationship with God come alive. They are a companion resource to our Lent Study sessions on the Lord's Prayer, which are part of the Church of England's "Pilgrim" course. The blog posts stand alone, however, so even if you aren't coming to a study group, you can still follow these posts online. The blog posts are my own work rather than those of the group that produced Pilgrim - any deficiencies in them are my fault, not the fault of the Pilgrim team!
The posts will fall into six sections.
We will start with a few days thinking about how we can get ready to pray and then move through various different ways, both old and new - a different one each week - for enriching prayer, from classic techniques of Lectio Divina and Ignatian meditation, to creative ideas for prayer, silence, and liturgical prayer.
Monday, March 03, 2014
Are you on our Electoral Roll? We need you!
The main reason why we encourage people to come onto the electoral roll, however, is that it gives them a formal say in our church's life, and
also in the life of the wider church. The number of lay members we can elect to our local Deanery Synod - the body of representatives from local churches in and around Sevenoaks - is determined by the size of our electoral roll. Those Deanery Synod members in turn elect our Diocese's lay representatives to General Synod, and this is the body which makes the crucial decisions about Church of England policies and practices. They determine things like whether women can be bishops and the Church's official position on gay marriage. If you've ever been frustrated at what "The Church" is doing or saying at its highest levels, then it's important to remember that it all starts with us here in parishes, making our views known through our Deanery, Diocesan and General Synod reps.
A recent review of the formula for calculating the number of lay reps we can have on Deanery Synod reduced the number for churches of our size (we currently have 112 on the electoral roll) from 3 to 2. If we could get 151 or more on the roll, we would regain that third representative - so it is over to us to see if we can do that by March 22nd, when the roll is closed until the Annual meeting. The race is on!
Who can be on the electoral roll?
- You need to be over 16 and to have been baptised.
- to live in Seal parish, and declare yourself to be a "member" of the Church of England. There are no formal criteria for what "member" means - it is your own declaration.
- Or , if you don't live in the parish, to be a "habitual worshipper" with us in the six months before you apply.
- Or , if you are a member of another Christian denomination, (e.g. a Roman Catholic or Methodist) who has regularly worshiped with us in the six months before applying, you can declare that you also want to be considered a "member" of the Church of England, and still retain your membership of those churches too.
As you can see, the entitlement is fairly broad, so if you think of Seal Church as "your" church and want it to have a voice in the wider church, as well as making sure your voice is heard here, coming onto our electoral roll really matters.
If you aren't signed up PLEASE DO SO!
(And tell any friends or neighbours who might consider joining too.)
There is no financial commitment involved in coming onto the roll. We might send you information about church activities from time to time - by post or email if you provide us with an email address - but you won't be bombarded with communications (I'm not that organised....!)
The form for enrolling is here. Please fill it in and return it to me (Revd Anne Le Bas, The Vicarage, Church Street, Seal, Kent, TN15 0AR) by March 22nd.
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