20 Minute Spiritual Workout, Monday, February 15
20-Minute Spiritual Workout, Monday, February 15, 2010
(Consider having a timer nearby that will beep or alert you when a designated period of time, like 5 minutes, has elapsed. That will enable you to enter fully into reflection without being bothered by keeping time.)
Opening Prayer: Invocation of the Holy Spirit
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in us the fire of your love. V - Send forth your Spirit and we shall be created R - And you shall renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray: O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy your consolations. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Expression of hunger for God, Psalm 63:1. Let these words express your prayer of hunger for God in your life.
O God, you are my God; eagerly I seek you; * my soul thirsts for you, my flesh faints for you, as in a barren and dry land where there is no water.
Reflection on Scripture: Read these verses first.
Then Jesus said to them all, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves? (Luke 9:23-25)
Spend 5 minutes reflecting on these questions.
How did Jesus “lose his life” for our sakes? Did he cease being himself or did he become fully himself as God’s Son and our Savior by giving himself?
How can you become more fully yourself by “losing yourself” in giving to God and others? Can you do that while being yourself, your best self?
Expressing Regret
What is your deepest regret about the past weekend? What thought, word, act, or failure to act haunts you?
Share that regret with God and ask God to forgive you and to help you forgive yourself.
Celebrate God’s forgiveness by making Psalm 103:1-3 your prayer: Bless the Lord, O my soul, * and all that is within me, bless his holy Name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, * and forget not all his benefits.
He forgives all your sins * and heals all your infirmities
Celebrating God’s Goodness
What experiences of abundance and goodness came to you this weekend? What difficult moments did you experience? What might those moments show you about yourself, God, and others?
Spend 5 minutes reflecting on these questions and giving thanks to God for God’s goodness.
Psalm 106:1
Hallelujah! Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, * for his mercy endures for ever.
Praying for Others
Who is on your mind today? Can you pray for them by name and ask God to bless them without telling God how to do it? Share their need(s) with God and trust God to act.
For those we Love
Almighty God, we entrust all who are dear to us to your never-failing care and love, for this life and the life to come,knowing that you aredoing for them better things than wecan desire or pray for; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 831)
Moments of Silence
(Set your timer for five minutes.) Spend five minutes in silence. Sit comfortably. Breathe easily. If you feel distracted, simply reaffirm your intent to be inwardly still with these words “God. Help me be still.”
After the silence. What did you hear? Consider writing down any insight or call to action that came to you.
Closing Prayer of Commitment
Jesus, my Savior, who lost yourself for my sake, take me outside my comfort zone today. Give me courage to dare at least one thing for you today. Amen.
"Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated to you; and then use us, we pray, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people, through our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
[Book of Common Prayer, pp. 832-833.]