As we continue
to look for signs of spring (Lent) in nature and ourselves, how do we prepare for and nurture new growth?
More hindrances and Helps to
Waiting/Watching/Meditating/Praying
Here
are some additions to last week’s list:
Hindrances:
Anger at God or the belief He disapproves of me; seeing God as so “ancient” He
is “out of touch”; unconfessed sins in my life; feeling alone or depressed.
Helps:
Praying in the spirit; Practicing His presence; use of candle, music, a short
inspirational reading, or holding a cross or prayer beads to begin a daily
prayer time; doing some simple manual labor; practicing a daily Examen…
What hinders you?
What helps you?
This
state is a calmness in our body, a quietness in our breathing (perhaps even
focus on slowly breathing in and out while repeating a word or phrase or part
of a prayer: “Thy kingdom come-Thy will be done” or “Lord, Jesus have mercy on
me,” or “Lord, You are my Shepherd-I shall not want,” or “I give You thanks in
everything.”
Ps 46:10
Be still and know that I AM God.”
Psalm 37
“Rest in the Lord. Wait patiently for Him.”
Is 30:18
Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are all those who [earnestly] wait for
Him, who expect and look and long for Him [for His victory, His favor, His
love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship]!
Perhaps the bottom
line question is, “Do I want to seek a closer relationship with God and be more
like Him.”
Prayerfully allow a
specific verse about God go through you over and over
Scarcely will a man
die for a righteous man but Christ died for us while we were yet sinners.
He was bruised for
our iniquities. He carried our sorrows. By His stripes we are healed.
Behold the Lamb of
God who takes away the sins of the whole world.
Be intentional to wait/tarry/keep watch and
pray with God in
prayerful reflection on who He is, what He is saying or doing, and what is my
response. This is a re-collecting of my senses by surrendering my will to Him
in all things. Then, if He chooses, He may open the door to deeper union with
His heart and intimacy with Him (sharing of life). This “mingling” or unity
with holy and perfect Love holy vision
of a good future.
Each of us feels pain over a loved one who is hurting. At times we may
have wished we could bear their sorrow or pain or even bear away their sin. But
imagine you could - not just bear it away but absorb it into your body - their
pain, their sorrow, their sickness, their sin. But beyond that imagine taking
upon yourself the punishment they deserve if they have sinned.
Now imagine taking the wounds and shames and offenses and sin and
sickness of a city or nation. Or the whole world and not just for the present
but for all of history and all the future until the end of the world.
This is what Jesus did - for the joy set before him, He endured the
scorn of the cross.
Now meditate on His sacred heart of love being your own heart - His
mind being in you. You are one with God - one spirit. The Creator of the
universe and Savior of your soul loves you this much - to bring you into
oneness with Himself.
What does that do to your heart?
What does that do to your mind?
What response do you have or what do you want to do this week in
response?
How will you think and act differently if you meditate on Him and
His heart and mind and spirit being in you?
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