Month: May 2017

Psalm 104:24-34, 35b – You renew the face of the earth

/ Lil Smith / Leave a comment

Psalm 104:24-34, 35b

24  O LORD, how manifold are your works!
In wisdom you have made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.
25  Yonder is the sea, great and wide,
creeping things innumerable are there,
living things both small and great.
26  There go the ships,
and Leviathan that you formed to sport in it.

27  These all look to you
to give them their food in due season;
28  when you give to them, they gather it up;
when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.
29  When you hide your face, they are dismayed;
when you take away their breath, they die
and return to their dust.
30  When you send forth your spirit, they are created;
and you renew the face of the ground.

31  May the glory of the LORD endure forever;
may the LORD rejoice in his works —
32  who looks on the earth and it trembles,
who touches the mountains and they smoke.
33  I will sing to the LORD as long as I live;
I will sing praise to my God while I have being.
34  May my meditation be pleasing to him,
for I rejoice in the LORD.
35b Bless the LORD, O my soul.
Praise the LORD!

  • Light a candle to remember Christ’s presence with you.
  • Sit five to fifteen minutes in silence bringing your attention to the Breath.
  • As you breathe, receive the Holy Spirit.
  • Come Holy Spirit, come renew the face of the earth.
  • Notice your hunger today.
  • Come Holy  Spirit, come feed the earth.
  • Notice what you need to receive today.
  • Come Holy Spirit, fill the earth with good things.
  • Notice what wants to hide in you.
  • Come Holy Spirit, shine your light upon the earth.
  • Notice where you need to breathe more deeply.
  • Come Holy Spirit, breathe new life into creation.
  • Notice the Holy Spirit stirring within you.
  • Come Holy Spirit, come renew the face of the earth.
  • What is your message from God?
  • 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, June 4, 2017, the Day of Pentecost (Year A)

Acts 2:1-21
Numbers 11:24-30
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
1 Corinthians 12:3b-13
John 20:19-23
John 7:37-39

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

Numbers 11:24-30 – When the spirit rested on them they prophesied

/ Lil Smith / Leave a comment

Numbers 11:24-30

24So Moses went out and told the people the words of the Lord; and he gathered seventy elders of the people, and placed them all around the tent. 25Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders; and when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied. But they did not do so again.

26Two men remained in the camp, one named Eldad, and the other named Medad, and the spirit rested on them; they were among those registered, but they had not gone out to the tent, and so they prophesied in the camp. 27And a young man ran and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” 28And Joshua son of Nun, the assistant of Moses, one of his chosen men, said, “My lord Moses, stop them!” 29But Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit on them!” 30And Moses and the elders of Israel returned to the camp.

  • Light a candle to remember Christ’s presence with you.
  • Sit five to fifteen minutes in silence bringing your attention to the Breath.
  • Remember a spiritual mentor who has nurtured you in your faith journey.
  • Imagine God taking some of the spirit fire from your mentor and placing it upon you as the mantle of wisdom is spread from one spiritual friend to another.
  • Feel the spirit fire move from your head through your body to rest in the place you feel the divine spark within you.
  • Be warmed by the spirit fire as it moves through you.
  • Pay particular attention to places that need to be warmed and freed by spirit fire.
  • How does spirit fire desire to speak to you?
  • What words come to you?
  • Sit with those words that arise from spirit fire within you.
  • What is your message from God?
  • 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, June 4, 2017, the Day of Pentecost (Year A)

Acts 2:1-21
Numbers 11:24-30
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
1 Corinthians 12:3b-13
John 20:19-23
John 7:37-39

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

Acts 2:1-21 – All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit

/ Lil Smith / Leave a comment

Acts 2:1-21

1When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

5Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes 11Cretans and Arabs — in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” 12All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”

14But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. 15Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. 16No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:
17  ‘In the last days it will be,God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.
18  Even upon my slaves, both men and women,
in those days I will pour out my Spirit;
and they shall prophesy.
19  And I will show portents in the heaven above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and smoky mist.
20  The sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.
21  Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’”

  • Light a candle to remember Christ’s presence with you.
  • Sit five to fifteen minutes in silence bringing your attention to the Breath.
  • As you breathe, receive the Holy Spirit.
  • Notice the language that arises within you.  What words to you desire to say?
  • Notice the desire to prophesy.  What wisdom arises?
  • Be free to see visions and to dream dreams.  What hope is God creating in you?
  • Share these new revelations with a trusted advisor, a spiritual director or a spiritual friend.
  • What is your message from God?
  • 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, June 4, 2017, the Day of Pentecost (Year A)

Acts 2:1-21
Numbers 11:24-30
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
1 Corinthians 12:3b-13
John 20:19-23
John 7:37-39

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

John 17:1-11 – Now they know that everything you have given me is from you

/ Lil Smith / Leave a comment

John 17:1-11

1After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, 2since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. 5So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed.

6“I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; 8for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. 10All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. 11And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.”

  • Light a candle to remember Christ’s presence with you.
  • Sit five to fifteen minutes in silence bringing your attention to the Breath.
  • Imagine the light of Christ shining upon you as he ascends to his father.  The bright light, the joy, the abundant love of God showered upon those who reach out for him.
  • Be glorified by him.
  • In my life Lord
    Be glorified be glorified
    In my life Lord
    Be glorified today
  • In my song Lord
    Be glorified be glorified
    In my song Lord
    Be glorified today
  • In Your church Lord
    Be glorified be glorified
    In Your church Lord
    Be glorified today
  • In our home Lord
    Be glorified be glorified
    In our home Lord
    Be glorified today  (Bob Kilpatrick)
  • What is your message from God?
  • 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 28, 2017, the Seventh Sunday of Easter (Year A)

Acts 1:6-14
Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35
1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11
John 17:1-11

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

1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11 – Cast all your anxiety on him

/ Lil Smith / Leave a comment

1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11

4:12Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. 14If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you.

5:6Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. 8Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. 10And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. 11To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.

  • Light a candle to remember Christ’s presence with you.
  • Sit five to fifteen minutes in silence bringing your attention to the Breath.
  • Case all your anxiety on Christ.
  • Inhale love.  Exhale fear.
  • Inhale joy.  Exhale sadness.
  • Inhale peace.  Exhale chaos.
  • Inhale patience.  Exhale agitation.
  • Inhale kindness.  Exhale animosity.
  • Inhale goodness.  Exhale corruption.
  • Inhale faithfulness.  Exhale disloyalty.
  • Inhale self-control.  Exhale instability.
  • Cast all your anxiety on Christ.
  • Breathe deeply and notice the new freedom that arises within you.
  • What is your message from God?
  • 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 28, 2017, the Seventh Sunday of Easter (Year A)

Acts 1:6-14
Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35
1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11
John 17:1-11

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

Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 – Let God rise up

/ Lil Smith / Leave a comment

68:1-10, 32-35

1   Let God rise up, let his enemies be scattered;
let those who hate him flee before him.
2   As smoke is driven away, so drive them away;
as wax melts before the fire,
let the wicked perish before God.
3   But let the righteous be joyful;
let them exult before God;
let them be jubilant with joy.

4   Sing to God, sing praises to his name;
lift up a song to him who rides upon the clouds —
his name is the LORD —
be exultant before him.

5   Father of orphans and protector of widows
is God in his holy habitation.
6   God gives the desolate a home to live in;
he leads out the prisoners to prosperity,
but the rebellious live in a parched land.

7   O God, when you went out before your people,
when you marched through the wilderness,                 Selah
8   the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain
at the presence of God, the God of Sinai,
at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
9   Rain in abundance, O God, you showered abroad;
you restored your heritage when it languished;
10  your flock found a dwelling in it;
in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy.

32  Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth;
sing praises to the Lord,                                                       Selah
33  O rider in the heavens, the ancient heavens;
listen, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice.
34  Ascribe power to God,
whose majesty is over Israel;
and whose power is in the skies.
35  Awesome is God in his sanctuary,
the God of Israel;
he gives power and strength to his people.

Blessed be God!

  • Light a candle to remember Christ’s presence with you.
  • Sit five to fifteen minutes in silence bringing your attention to the Breath.
  • How do you desire God to be present to you today?
  • Allow the divine spark in you to arise from within you.
  • Notice how you need God’s power and strength.  Absorb.
  • Notice how you need to hear God’s voice.  Listen.
  • Notice how you need to be nurtured.  Eat and drink.
  • Notice the ego part of you that needs to melt away.  Lament.
  • Notice how you need to be transformed.  Breathe.
  • What is your message from God?
  • 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 28, 2017, the Seventh Sunday of Easter (Year A)

Acts 1:6-14
Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35
1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11
John 17:1-11

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