1Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised
in the city of our God.
His holy mountain, 2beautiful in elevation
is the joy of all the earth,
Mount Zion, in the far north,
the city of the great King.
3Within its citadels God
has shown himself a sure defense.
4Then the kings assembled,
they came on together.
5As soon as they saw it, they were astounded;
they were in panic, they took to flight;
6trembling took hold of them there,
pains as of a woman in labor,
7as when an east wind shatters
the ships of Tarshish.
8As we have heard, so have we seen
in the city of the LORD of hosts,
in the city of our God,
which God establishes forever.
Selah
9We ponder your steadfast love, O God,
in the midst of your temple.
10Your name, O God, like your praise,
reaches to the ends of the earth.
Your right hand is filled with victory.
11Let Mount Zion be glad,
let the towns of Judah rejoice
because of your judgments.
12Walk about Zion, go all around it,
count its towers,
13consider well its ramparts;
go through its citadels,
that you may tell the next generation
14that this is God,
our God forever and ever.
He will be our guide forever.
- Light a candle to remember Christ’s presence with you.
- Sit five to fifteen minutes in silent meditation paying close attention to the deep breath.
- As you pay attention to your breath, allow God to guide you in your breath.
- Let go of any thoughts or to-do list that might keep you from giving your full attention to God.
- Continue to silence any voices and noise around you as you pay attention to your breath.
- Let go of time.
- Seek the guidance of God.
- As you feel freedom from the world around you, seek guidance from God.
- Where do you need guidance today?
- Keep your focus on this one point.
- Stay with your breath and listen for God’s guidance.
- As you time in meditation ends, give thanks to God for this time.
- As you go about your day, take time to stop and listen for God’s guidance.
- Be open to people, places, experiences which might reveal God’s answer to you.
- Be open to the unexpected.
- 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, July 8, 2012, the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10
Psalm 48
2 Corinthians 12:2-10
Mark 6:1-13
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.