Summer Sabbath Practices – 7.9.2018
BREATH PRAYER: FATHER, transform my heart in this ordinary time.
CENTERING:
Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans.
Romans 8:26, MSG
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:
EXAMEN
As you rest in the silence, invite the Holy Spirit to guide your memory. Ask Him to show You what He would like you to see as you think through the past day.
Reflect on where you were and what you were doing 24 hours ago. What was the remainder of yesterday like for you? What was the general feeling of your day? What has today been like, so far, in a word or two?
Read this passage three times, slowly:
O Lord, how many are my foes!
Many are rising against me;
Many are saying to me,
“There is no help for you in God.”
But You, O Lord, are a shield around me,
My glory, and the One who lifts up my head.
I cry aloud to the Lord,
And He answers me from His holy hill.
Psalm 3:1-4
In the past day, have you had any moments of feeling like “there is no help for you in God”? Take that thought to God, knowing He isn’t angered by your doubt, nor is He intimidated by it. Imagine yourself handing the thought to Him. Imagine His hands taking it from you and His eyes as He looks at you.
Think through the past day again, examining it for moments when you felt protected, cared for, confident. How might God have been at work in these times as a shield around you? How might He be lifting up your head? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you whatever He would like you to know about these moments.
Are there any prayers for help you want to bring to God? Speak His name out loud and invite Him to give you His vision and understanding about the situation.
Spend a few more minutes in silence, thanking God for walking with you through this time and for revealing Himself to you.
Summary: Write in your journal a brief summary (five sentences or less) of your examen. How might this experience help you recognize God’s voice in the future?
Closing: Jesus, 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.
