EHS Practices – Week 3 – Day 3

THEME: GOING BACK TO GO FORWARD

BREATH PRAYER: LORD, HELP ME FACE MY PAST AND ACCEPT YOUR FREEDOM

SETTLING IN:

• In a journal, note the day, time, and place you’re sitting.
• Open with a few moments of silence. Rest, and breathe deeply.
• Complete the following sentence in your journal: Today, I feel ________________.
• Read these words slowly (aloud or silently):

The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. (1 Corinthians 2:10b-12)

Pray this week’s breath prayer and pause for a few moments of silence.

PRACTICE:
narrative entry

Narrative Entry is a practice by which we place ourselves in a passage from the Bible as if we are living it. Allowing the Holy Spirit to work through our imagination, we aim to see, hear, smell, touch, and even taste what is happening in the Bible narrative.

• Read Genesis 50:15-21 slowly, setting the scene in your mind.
• Before you read this passage a second time, remember the context. Joseph has been betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery. He has suffered for years in obscurity, abandoned by his family, falsely accused by his master’s wife, and forgotten in prison. Now, as he faces his brothers, Joseph has the power to choose whether they live or die for their brutality and neglect.
• Now, read through the passage two more times slowly, and imagine you are Joseph.  What do you see, feel, hear, and know?
• In your journal, write down what you observed during your reading. Did anything surprise you? Was there something you hadn’t previously noticed that jumped out? What do you think the Lord might be saying through this?
• Pay special attention to any “shadows” you might notice from your past. Is the Lord bringing to your mind any unresolved hurt, fear, betrayal, or anxiety? If so, write these in your journal and take note of what God is unearthing from your past. Ask God to give you the courage to face these issues, and the grace to bring you true healing and freedom.

Digging Deeper: Read through the passage one or two more times, but imagine you are one of Joseph’s brothers. What does it feel like as you are preparing for this moment? What do you see, feel, hear, and know? What might the Lord be saying through this?

• Summary: Write a brief summary (five sentences or less) of what you discovered during your time of reflection.
• Closing: Respond to your Savior with this simple prayer: Lord, you know our past, present, and future. Thank you that you are there to meet us in each of those times and bring about healing and restoration. Help me face the past and accept Your freedom. Amen.