PSALM 22:25-31

²⁵  From you comes my praise in the great congregation;
my vows I will pay before those who fear him.
²⁶  The poor shall eat and be satisfied;
those who seek him shall praise the Lord.
May your hearts live forever!

²⁷  All the ends of the earth shall remember
and turn to the Lord;
and all the families of the nations
shall worship before him.
²⁸  For dominion belongs to the Lord,
and he rules over the nations.

²⁹  To him, indeed, shall all who sleep in the earth bow down;
before him shall bow all who go down to the dust,
and I shall live for him.
³⁰  Posterity will serve him;
future generations will be told about the Lord,
³¹  and proclaim his deliverance to a people yet unborn,
saying that he has done it.

• Light a candle to remember Christ’s presence with you.
• Sit five to fifteen minutes in silent meditation paying attention to the deep breath.
• Pay attention to the place where you sit today.
• Make any changes to the space that will help you turn toward the Lord.
• Perhaps you can turn a chair more toward a window allowing the warmth of the light to shine upon your face.
• Perhaps you need to remove the clutter in front of you so you will not be distracted by other things.
• Sit in a way that you can be free of distraction and turned toward the Lord.
• Now continue to breathe.
• With each breath, create more space within you for the Lord.  Feel the goodness of God’s breath as you inhale and exhale any tension you notice.
• As you breathe, see how much space you can create within you.
• Let go of anything that is constricting you.
• As you inhale, open yourself to God.  See yourself opening and turning toward God.
• All who are turned toward God give praise and glory to God.
• All who are turned toward God shall eat and be satisfied.
• All who seek the Lord shall praise God.
• Savor the peace you find as you stay turned toward God.
• Savor the light you find there.
• Let God fill the space created within you with God’s goodness, mercy and grace.
• As you go about your day, remember these things God has given to you.
• Share them as you encounter the world.
• Give thanks to God for this time in prayer and for any new insights you have received.
• Share as you feel led in the reply box below.

Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday, May 6, 2012, the Fifth Sunday of Easter Year B

Acts 8:26-40
Psalm 22:25-31
1 John 4:7-21
John 15:1-8

If you use these prayers in other groups, please give credit to author. Permission to use in not-for-profit settings The Rev. Lil Smith, M.Div., DASD.