Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7
2:15The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it.16And the LORD God commanded the man, “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden;17but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.”
3:1Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God say, ‘You shall not eat from any tree in the garden’?” 2The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; 3but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.’” 4But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not die; 5for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate. 7Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.
- Light a candle to remember Christ’s presence with you.
- Bring your attention to the Breath.
- Sit five to fifteen minutes in silence paying attention to the Breath.
- What is your deepest desire?
- Is this also God’s desire for you?
- How do you know this?
- Listen to the fullness of your senses.
- Be gentle with yourself.
- Try it on. Just as you would put on a favorite sweater, try it on and sit with it for while.
- Is this authentically you?
- Is this authentically God?
- Is this a serpent trying to get your attention?
- Ask trusted advisors if this desire fits you.
- Is this desire filled with the fruit of the Spirit for you?
- Is this desire filled with the fruit of the Spirit for the world?
- Then maybe it is God’s desire for you.
- How does God desire for you to respond to this desire?
- What is God’s message for you?
- 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, March 5, 2017, the First Sunday in Lent (Year A)
Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7
Psalm 32
Romans 5:12-19
Matthew 4:1-11
If you use these prayers in other groups, please give credit to author. Permission to use in not-for-profit settings (c) 2017 The Rev. Lil Smith, M.Div., DASD