My partners and I at Soul Space released a new reflection yesterday! Featuring Psalm 16, it invites us to make God the center of our hope and trust, to follow him in his way of life and joy, and to see the abundant ways he is already present in our lives.
Last month, we also released a reflection on Philippians 4:6-8, a contemplation to help us cope with anxieties and fear by following the Apostle Paul’s RX for peace: gratitude, prayer, and focusing our thoughts on all that is good and comes from God.
In the meantime, we are also planning more reflections for the fall! Starting in November, we are hoping to release a series of 5 meditations per month. One will continue to be free, and the other four will be behind a paywall of some sort – we’re still working out the details. Our first series will be in November, on Gratitude (of course!), and in December, an Advent series entitled, “Opening Ourselves Up . . . to God’s Holy Disturbance.” Each month will include four different types of prayer based on the month’s theme: an Ignatian imaginative prayer, a Daily Examen, a breath prayer, and a Lectio Divina.
We’ve gotten some really great feedback on what we’ve done so far, so thank you to all who have listened, responded, and shared with your friends and family! All of us have had our lives and relationships with God changed by contemplative practices (and by spiritual direction) and are passionate about bringing them to as many people as possible. – Carrie
God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all.
This was the contemplative prayer for today’s service at Vineyard One NYC. The prayer alludes to, though does not explicitly mention, the events of these past weeks: the murder of George Floyd – and countless other black men and women – the #BlackLivesMatter protests that have spread throughout the U.S. and beyond, the police violence against largely peaceful protestors, and the covid-19 epidemic, which disproportionately affects black and Hispanic communities. (More direct teaching and prayer about these events happened at other times in the service.) It invites repentance, prayers for unity, and action towards becoming a person who bears Jesus’ light into the world.
If you choose to lead this prayer, leave ample time for everyone to reflect and to listen to God’s voice.
Breath Prayer on 1 John 1:5-7
Breath prayer is a contemplative practice in which we breathe slowly and deeply, gradually synchronizing our breathing to short prayers or phrases that we pray aloud or quietly in our head. As we breathe, we are praying with our body, allowing God’s presence to take root in not only our minds and our hearts, but our physical being as well.
As we begin our time, I pray that we would be surrounded by God’s presence, love, and peace. In these turbulent days of violence, racism, illness, and uncertainty, may Jesus give us courage and to do his will, trust in his plans, and hope for the future.
I invite you to find a comfortable position wherever you are. Close your eyes and begin to breathe deeply and slowly. Pay attention to the rhythm of your breath. You may want to put your hands on your chest or stomach so you can feel your body rise and fall as you inhale and exhale. Breathe out any tension you may be feeling in your body. Relax your face, your neck, your shoulders, your arms and hands. Relax your legs and feet. Continue to breathe slowly and deliberately.
What emotions are you feeling right now?
God loves you without reservation, right now, exactly as you are. Surrender yourself to his love.
Today, the phrases from our breath prayer will come from 1 John 1:5-7. As you listen to the verses, keep up your slow, deep breathing. Allow God’s Word to sink in and bring quiet your spirit.
1 John 1:5-7
This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.
I will read the verse again:
This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth.But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.
For our breath prayer today, we will start with three phrases based on the Scripture. Pray these phrases silently in rhythm with your breathing.
God, you are light.
Cleanse us from sin.
Make us one.
God, you are light.
Cleanse us from sin.
Make us one.
For the next few minutes, keep repeating these phrases as you breathe.
God, you are light.
Cleanse us from sin.
Make us one.
As you pray, you may find that one of these phrases seems to resonate with you more than the others. Let the other phrases fall away and focus on the one that God seems to be drawing you towards. So you may choose to pray, God you are light.
Or, Cleanse us from sin.
Or, Make us one.
Continue with your chosen phrase, allowing God to draw you deeper into your prayer. If God seems to have you alternate between phrases, that’s perfectly fine. Follow his lead.
Now, ask the Lord if there are other words that he is inviting you to pray. Is there anything he is bringing to your mind? Follow God’s leading and begin to pray your new words or phrase. Or, if you are still drawn to the words you are already praying, continue as you were. Trust the Lord to guide this process.
Take a few more moments with your breath prayer.
Now, move to a time of silence. Imagine you are face to face with Jesus. You may picture him in as much or as little detail as you wish. What emotions are you experiencing as you sit in his presence?
Let Jesus speak to you about his intentions for this prayer time. What is he saying to you with his words? What is he saying to you without words?
Is there anything you would like to say to him?
As you spend time with the Lord, how do you sense him bringing his light to your circumstances? How do you sense him inviting you to bring his light to others? What kind of person is he calling you to be during this season?
If you feel led to do so, tell Jesus your intentions to be this person. What is one concrete action you can take this week to become someone who bears Jesus’ light?
Lord, thank you for this time of prayer. You are the source of our every breath. Help us to honor you with our words, thoughts, and actions. With the power of your Spirit, help us to illuminate the darkness in our world.
As you go from here, may you live in the light of Jesus’ love, healing, redemption, reconciliation, and peace. Amen.
Copyright by Carrie Myers, 2020.
Find me on Instagram at @RavishedByLight.
Photo credits: Clear Glass Sphere, Pixabay; Protestors Holding Signs, Photo by Kelly Lacy from Pexels
Today is a day to review your journey with Jesus over the past week. Ask Jesus to be with you as you do so. Invite the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts, emotions, and memories.
OPTION 1
Look over the week’s devotionals and/or your journal entries (Day 34, Day 35, Day 36, Day 37, Day 38). What stands out to you? How has Jesus been present to you this week? Where do you sense Jesus inviting your attention so that you may go deeper with him?
OPTION 2
If looking over the entire week feels too overwhelming, reflect on one or more of these themes from the week’s devotionals:
1) As Jesus approaches the time of his death, he and his disciples face increasing hardship and persecution. As you look back on hard times in your own experience, how has Jesus been there for you? How has that shaped the way you face trials in your present and future?
2) Jesus wants us to be joyfully united with other Christians all over the world, our church community, and with Him, the Father, and the Holy Spirit. Have you ever experienced such a feeling of joyful unity? Where were you, and what was that experience like? Are there ways you are seeking increased unity?
3) Jesus models leadership that exudes both peace and strength. Where has God given you opportunities to lead? What do you need from Jesus in order to follow his example?
OBEY
As we approach Palm Sunday and Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, ask Jesus to help you walk with him in both joy and sorrow. Pray that you as an individual and the church as a body will grow in strength, peace, and unity.
“Leap of Faith” is a devotional series on the Gospel of John for the Lent season. All readings are available on the Vineyard One NYC app, along with additional resources for Bible reading, worship, and prayer (IPhone app here; Google Play app here).
Peter reacts to the possibility of capture with violence. But Jesus chooses another way: to “drink the cup of suffering” at the same time he repeatedly insists that he is the Lord (“I Am”). Jesus shows us a new model of power: one that asserts its strength not through conquest and violence, but through peace and suffering.
1) Look around you at our systems and institutions of power (governmental, educational, religious, etc.) or at individuals who hold power. Where do they come close to or fall short of the model Jesus gave us?
2) Where in your life has God given you influence, privilege, or power? On the other hand, where are you experiencing powerlessness, subjection, or opposition? In either case, how might Jesus be inviting you to experience and offer his peace?
OBEY
As you move closer and closer to the time of Jesus’ Passion, ask for the grace to walk with Jesus closely through his time of sorrow. Allow Jesus to awaken both surrender to his will and compassion for all those who suffer from injustice or pain.
“Leap of Faith” is a devotional series on the Gospel of John for the Lent season. All readings are available on the Vineyard One NYC app, along with additional resources for Bible reading, worship, and prayer (IPhone app here; Google Play app here).
This morning, as I was thinking and praying about my next Advent reflection, the news was coming in about the bombing in the subway tunnels of Midtown Manhattan. Thankfully, there were only a few minor injuries and the bomber was caught.
In light of the attack this morning, here are my thoughts on the name “Mighty God.” I will post the missing reflection on “Counselor” later this week.
For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9:6.
READ
Jeremiah 23:5-6
“For the time is coming,”
says the Lord,
“when I will raise up a righteous descendant
from King David’s line.
He will be a King who rules with wisdom.
He will do what is just and right throughout the land.
And this will be his name:
‘The Lord Is Our Righteousness.’
In that day Judah will be saved,
and Israel will live in safety.
REFLECT & PRAY
“Living between the resurrection of Jesus and the final coming together of all things in heaven and earth means celebrating God’s healing of the world, not his abandoning of it” – N.T. Wright, Surprised by Hope
This morning, a bomb exploded in a subway station in Midtown Manhattan. It did very little harm, and the would-be suicide bomber has been captured. But we know there are more people like him bent on violence of one kind of another, all over the world. Everywhere we turn, there are “wars and rumors of wars.”
It seems only fair to wonder: Where is God and why isn’t he doing anything about all of this?
Centuries ago, God gave the prophet Jeremiah a glimpse into his plan. He told Jeremiah he would send a King unlike any other – a perfect ruler who would bring wisdom, justice, and security. He would bring his divided people back together, back from war and exile. The new King would give his people his righteousness. He would restore their ability to live in a rich, intimate relationship with God.
God’s promise, given through Jeremiah, brought much-needed hope at a time when his people were caught in political turmoil, fear, and heartache. And it brings hope to us today.
Jesus, our Mighty God, came to be King not just of Israel but to all of us. When Jesus defeated death and evil at the cross, he began his reign. He began extending his rule over everyone and everything, a process of healing and restoration that will only be complete when he returns to earth again. In that day, he will bring lasting peace, prosperity, and joy to all of creation. As N.T. Wright explains, God hasn’t abandoned the world; he is healing it.
More than ever, we need Jesus to come and bring his promised peace. While we wait, we have the incredible privilege of working alongside Jesus, to bring healing and hope in our own spheres of influence. Sometimes that might not feel like much, but empowered by the Holy Spirit, we can work and pray, with faith, towards that time when Jesus’ reign is complete.
OBEY
Speak to Jesus about your hopes and fears for today and for the future. Ask him to give you a vision for his “healing of the world” and how you can play a part in it. Pray for the courage and faith to follow your calling.
Ask the Holy Spirit to show you a person in need of encouragement. Ask Jesus what words of hope he has for that person. Contact that person and pass on Jesus’ words.
