Day 1: If God is with Us...
Written by Jenny Walley
Morning prayer
Take a few moments with God to read Psalm 139. As you let the images wash over you, pay attention to what the Psalm says about God, and what it says about you. When you come to the end, take some time to pray through verses 23-24. Ask the following questions of your heart and of God, and journal if you like:
What is the state of my heart?
Where do I feel tension in my body?
What am I thinking about?
What am I feeling?
Who am I worried about?
What things have I left undone as I enter into this time of isolation?
How do I feel about these undone things?
Take some time with God to present these concerns to him and to invite him to meet you in the midst of them.
What do you want to say to him?
What does he want to say back to you?
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Midday reflection
So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.1 John 4:16 ESV
God does not just have love, God IS love. Take some time today to imagine the love between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Let the words of 1 Corinthians 13 wash over you, and soak into your soul. How is God (Father, Son and Spirit) patient, kind, humble, truthful, enduring within himself?
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.Love never fails.1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Now imagine God inviting you to take part in this nature. You are not just called to be patient, kind, humble, truthful, enduring. You actually live in HIS patience, kindness, humility, truth and endurance, and are invited to let these things flow out from you.
If this is the God who is with you, what can you release to him?
Worship in Song: Derek Rice has put together a worship set to remind us that God is with us, and we can listen for his voice.
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An evening prayer of examen on the day
Each evening before going to bed, take some time to sit with God, reviewing the day and considering the following questions:
What has been good today?
Take some time to write down everything you are thankful for...the taste of your morning coffee, something that made you laugh, a conversation you had, something you read, anything. Thank God for these moments.
What has been hard?
When did you feel disconnected? What feelings came up that were uncomfortable? What unresolved thoughts do you have? What anxieties, fears or worries did you encounter? Speak these out to God, and listen for what he might say to you about them.
Ask God to show you how he was with you in the good and the hard today. Thank him for His presence and receive His grace.
What does it look like to trust him for tomorrow?