Lent Practices – Week 6 – 3.20.2018

THEME:Subtracting Power, Gaining Honor

BREATH PRAYER: Jesus, give me a desire to surrender my power and follow You.

CENTERING:

I declare what I have seen in the Father’s presence; as for you, you should do what you have heard from the Father.
John 8:38

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:
LISTENING PRAYER

So often when we pray, we set the agenda and then speak that agenda to God. This is not a bad thing at all. Our Heavenly Father loves hearing from His children, but sometimes we need to surrender the power to set our own agendas and instead follow the Lord into His agenda for our time with Him. At its core, listening prayer is allowing God to set the agenda for our prayer time. It requires us to clear our minds and relinquish control as we let the Lord direct this time together.

BE STILL – Take a few minutes to breathe deeply and clear your mind. Imagine that each breath is able to turn down the volume of the noise in your mind a little more than the last, until the noise has fully been silenced. If you find your mind wandering, do not beat yourself up. Just humbly return your attention to Jesus and ask Him to guide you into His agenda.

LISTEN – choose one of the three ways below to listen:

Scripture – Read through a scripture that is on your mind. If there is not a scripture you are drawn to, then read today’s lectionary. As you read, be mindful of a word or passage that catches your attention. When this happens, let that drive the agenda in prayer. Read the words of Jesus as if He is speaking them to you right now. Read the praises of the Psalms as if you are speaking them to God yourself. Let this scripture direct you on what you should pray.

Song – Listen to worship music and allow the words to wash over to you. Hear the words of love that Jesus is speaking to you through these songs. When you hear words of praise, feel your heart reflecting those words back to Jesus. When something in a song captures your heart’s attention, allow that to drive the agenda of your time of prayer.

Contemplate – Take one or more of the questions below to the Lord and write what comes to mind as you rest in the presence of Jesus:

• Lord, what is something that you love about me?
• Lord, what do you want me to know about today?
• Lord, how might I please your heart today?

When something comes to mind, write it in your journal and all it to drive the agenda of your time of prayer.

RESPOND – As the Lord has set the agenda in your time of listening, go forward in that agenda. If he gave you something specific to pray about, go for it. If he gave you a word of love or encouragement, then simply bask in it. If you don’t feel like you heard anything at all, that is okay. Use this time of response to thank God that He is present with you whether you feel it or not.

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

Closing: Jesus, give me a desire to surrender my power and follow You.