Summer Sabbath Practices – 7.24.2018

BREATH PRAYER: FATHER, transform my heart in this ordinary time.

CENTERING:

As in the days when you came out of the land of Egypt, show us marvellous things.

Micah 7:15

SETTLING IN:

• In a journal, note the day, time, and place you’re sitting.
• Open with silence. Set a timer for 1, 3, or 5 minutes so you can be free to rest and breathe deeply.
• Complete the following sentence in your journal: Today, I feel ________________.
• Read the centering verse above slowly (aloud or silently).
• Pause for a few moments of silence, then pray this week’s breath prayer.

PRACTICE:
BIBLE STUDY

Read the following Scripture slowly and deliberately. Read with the expectation that the Lord will highlight a word or phrase to you, drawing your attention to some idea.

Then [Jesus] came down with them and stood on a level place. And a large number of His disciples had gathered along with a vast multitude from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon. They came to hear Him and to be healed of their diseases, and those who suffered from unclean spirits were cured. The whole crowd was trying to touch Him, because power was coming out from Him and healing them all.

Then He looked up at His disciples and said:
“Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God belongs to you.
“Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied.
“Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
“Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you and insult you and reject you as evil on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and jump for joy, because your reward is great in heaven. For their ancestors did the same things to the prophets.”

Luke 6:17-23

Repeat out loud the word or idea that stands out to you. If this word bring up any emotions, memories, or related ideas for you, take those to God. Ask Him to help you understand the connection between His Word and your thoughts.

If the word leads you to a question for God, ask Him. Write whatever comes to mind in your journal.

Is this word or idea something that resonates with you, something that makes your heart cry YES, or is it something that doesn’t sit well with you, that causes you to draw back? Consider why that might be.

If nothing seems to stand out in your reading, envision yourself as one of the “crowd” who was trying to touch Jesus. Why are you trying to touch Him? What do you hope to gain? How do His words about the poor, the hungry, the weeping, and the hated strike you?

Let the Spirit guide your mind as you study the Word. Write what comes to mind in your journal, even if it seems off-the-wall or you don’t understand why you’re writing it.

As you close, write the words that stood out to you on a card and place them where you’ll see them regularly. Close by asking the Lord to keep these words in your heart as you go about the rest of your day.

Summary: Write in your journal a brief summary (five sentences or less) of your practice

Closing: Father, transform my heart in this ordinary time.

If you are unsure how to begin listening for God’s voice and leading in your life, listen to this message by Larry Green, given at the Parish. Feel free to reach out to us at info@parishanglican.org for more information or help with these practices.