Exodus 17:1-7
1From the wilderness of Sin the whole congregation of the Israelites journeyed by stages, as the LORD commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. 2The people quarreled with Moses, and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the LORD?” 3But the people thirsted there for water; and the people complained against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?” 4So Moses cried out to the LORD, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.” 5The LORD said to Moses, “Go on ahead of the people, and take some of the elders of Israel with you; take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. 6I will be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink.” Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7He called the place Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarreled and tested the LORD, saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?”
- Light a candle to remember Christ’s presence with you.
- Sit five to fifteen minutes in silence bringing your attention to the Breath.
- Notice how are you living in the wilderness today.
- Notice how you thirst.
- Notice the temptation to cry out for water.
- Notice the anger or the tension or the not God part of you that wants to cause chaos, turmoil and unrest.
- Notice how you want to test God.
- Bring your attention again to the Breath. Let the breath reach all of these places of unrest, of tension, of anger, of testing.
- Allow the Breath to calm these places.
- Turn away from the desire to throw stones.
- Turn away from the temptation to test the Lord.
- Accept the peace the Breath has for you.
- Allow the Breath to quench your thirst.
- 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 19, 2017, the Third Sunday in Lent (Year A)
Exodus 17:1-7
Psalm 95
Romans 5:1-11
John 4:5-42
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