Happy Friday, Friends! How are you? Did you have a good week? Mine was much better, and I'm so thankful that I'm healthy. God is blessing me! I posted the watercolor of the daffodils (above) because the real ones are loving our wet weather and are popping up all over our neighborhood. It has been too rainy to go outside and take photos, but I will do so next week and share them on next week's post.
This week's lesson is entitled "Your Life Is Your Prayer." It's a sweet little lesson, and I enjoyed how she encourages us to pray. She talks about being honest and vulnerable, that "speaking our raw truths are the first lesson on how to pray (p. 39)." She also writes about centering prayers, and gives a short little lesson on how to begin this practice. (I admit that our church has centering prayer lessons and sessions, but I've never participated in them. Perhaps during the next cycle I will.) Her introductory lesson involves a "One-Word Prayer" exercise. Did you try this? Did you chose a word? My word was "stand." Let me explain why I chose this word.
In the Book of Ephesians, we are reminded to pray for each other. Here is the verse:
...praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints...~Ephesians 6:18
This verse comes at the end of the Armor of God passage.
As many times as I've read this, it never dawned on me that once we are "armored-up," we are to pray for each other! Also in this passage, we are encouraged to "stand firm."
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.~Ephesians 6:13
Here is another reason I chose the word "stand." Macina Wiederkehr writes about morning prayer in the prayer below. My Bible teacher Bettys sent it to me this week, and I want to share it with you.
I stand at my window and watch
one by one the stars leave me.
I am having tea with the dawn
the first ray of sun descending
into my teacup, into my heart.
The stream of the tea ascending
to the heavens, into God's heart.
The yearning in my heart
streaming to the heavens, into God's heart.
And God, standing in the heavens
watching the sun rise in my heart
leans down to breathe in
the rays of yearning
and names it morning prayer.
Sometimes my biggest challenge is enjoying our comfortable bed in the morning and not getting up when I should to pray. I definitely function better in the mornings, and mornings are quieter in our home than afternoons.
Below is the scripture for our lesson:
.png)
Please share with me your thoughts about the lesson. Did you choose a word for the centering prayer exercise? Have you practiced centering prayers before?
Prayer Requests
- Pray for our military securing and protecting our southern border.
- Pray for Kitty's son Mike to get a job that uses his talents.
- Pray for the Americans displaced by the derailment (East Palestine, OH), fires (Maui and California) and Hurricane Helene (East Tennessee and Western North Carolina). Pray that they will receive the help they need to rebuild.
- Pray for Kitty's grandson Connor, that he will find a path to follow and good relationships.
- Carla requests that we pray for Trump's cabinet, and his picks will be confirmed quickly.
- Pray for our daughter Shanley Belle as her post doc is coming to an end. She is in the midst of a job search. Please pray for God's guidance in her next step.
- Carla is running for Trustee for her local Village Board. The election is April 1st. Let's be in prayer that Carla can continue to be the change she wants to see in her village.
- Rita's daughters need our prayers. One is finishing up her masters this semester, and the other is having an especially hard time balancing work/school/home life. Pray for God's strength, patience and guidance as they each navigate their own course.
- PRAISE: All of my tests have been fantastic this week. I am the healthiest I've been in many, many years. :D
- Please pray for travel mercies for Trip and me. We are in New Orleans for the weekend.
Whatever you're drinking standing at your window, I hope you are also praying for the saints in your life!
.jpg)
Ricki Jill
I do pray for the communion of saints and for all my beloved family member who are here and for those who have passed. My word is JOY.
ReplyDeleteAs for the lesson, I loved living our lives as a prayer. I used to pray in the morning to God, that whatever I did that was good, kind, lovely or thoughtful, let it be in praise to Him. Somehow, I forgot about that special prayer, but this gentle lesson reminded me to say that again everyday.
I’m glad you’re feeling better, Ricki Jill. Prayers continue for all our little group.
Happy weekend 🙏🏻
What a great lesson. Ricki Jill, thank you for always being so thoughtful in your posts on our devotions (love the watercolor daffs. Is that your art?). This lesson is really good. I loved how she admitted herself falling into rote prayer recitations, or getting offtrack. I so often do that! I don't have a word chosen yet, but my thoughts went to the word visualization, as in creative visualization. Or, perhaps I'll choose believe. I feel God knows what we want, and we have to visualize it and believe. I love what your Bible teacher sent you, that's beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you for adding my girls' prayer request to our list. I hope you have a wonderful weekend with safe travels throughout.
Thank you for the post Ricki Jill, your art work and photos make me smile.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the lesson.
Jesus ... Trust are my two words.
Thank you for the prayers and I am praying for all the requests. And I am celebrating the PRAISE REPORT!
Carla
Stand is a great word and all your reasons why you chose that word. I loved the lesson. My word would be peace. I try to find peace when I pray. I am so happy God has blessed you with good health. The power of prayer is amazing. Have a wonderful new week. Hugs. Kris
ReplyDelete