"Show me your ways, O Lord..."
We invite you to a few minutes of silence before we begin our prayer time together.
Take a deep breath and breathe in the breath of God, knowing by faith that God breathes into us the breath of life...
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First reading & silent reflection: Reflect in silence.
LECTIO: from Psalm 25: 1-5
1. To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul;
my God, I put my trust in you;
let me not be humiliated,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.
2. Let none who look to you be put to shame;
let the treacherous be disappointed in their schemes.
3. Show me your ways, O Lord,
and teach me your paths.
4. Lead me in your truth and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
in you have I trusted all the day long.
5. Remember, O Lord, your compassion and love,
for they are from everlasting.
Second reading & reflection: What word or phrase catches your attention? Share or pass...
Third reading & reflection: How does this word or phrase touch your life? Share or pass.
Fourth and last reading & silent reflection: How is God inviting you to grow? We will reflect in silence for a few moments before we move from Lectio Divina to Centering/Silent Prayer.
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CONTEMPLATIVE / SILENT PRAYER
Our Centering Prayer sit is 20 - 30 minutes sounded by the chime/chant. At the end of the Prayer sit, we will linger in silence a few minutes, then follow by praying together the Our Father.
The New Zealand Anglican Lord's Prayer
Eternal Spirit, Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver,
Source of all that is and that shall be,
Father and Mother of us all,
Loving God, in whom is heaven:
The hallowing of your name echo through the universe!
The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world!
Your heavenly will be done by all created beings!
Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth.
With the bread we need for today, feed us.
In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.
In times of temptation and test, strengthen us.
From trials too great to endure, spare us.
From the grip of all that is evil, free us.
For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and for ever.
Amen.
--The New Zealand Book of Prayer | He Karakia Mihinare o Aotearoa
Teaching / Reflection:
Each liturgical season presents . . . an overview . . . while the particular feasts . . . present close-ups of the action of Jesus in us and in the world. For example, the Christmas-Epiphany Mystery begins with the season of Advent, an extended period of preparation that culminates in the climactic feast of Christmas. . . . The first Sunday of Advent . . . gives us a broad view of the three-fold coming of Christ. On the following Sundays we are introduced to the three central figures of Advent: Mary, the Virgin Mother of the Savior; John the Baptist, who introduced Jesus to those who first heard his message; and Isaiah, who prophesied Christ’s coming with extraordinary accuracy. . . . These principals become living models for us to imitate. In this way the liturgy awakens in us longings similar to those of the prophets who yearned for the coming of the Messiah. We are thus prepared for the spiritual birth of Jesus in us through our participation in the unfolding of the Christmas-Epiphany Mystery.
~Thomas Keating, The Mystery of Christ, 7-8.
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We now take some time to share our thoughts and reflections on our own spiritual journey and our prayer practice. This may be followed by brief prayers of intercession. Share or pass.
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Go in the name of Christ Jesus to love and serve the Lord. Thanks be to God!
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[This is an adapted format courtesy of Richard and Linda Hall, Contemplative Outreach of Maryland and Washington, DC]
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