Psalm 128:1-6
1Happy is everyone who fears the LORD,
who walks in his ways.
2You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands;
you shall be happy, and it shall go well with you.
3Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
around your table.
4Thus shall the man be blessed
who fears the LORD.
5The LORD bless you from Zion.
May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
6May you see your children’s children.
Peace be upon Israel!
- Light a candle to remember Christ’s presence with you.
- Sit five to fifteen minutes in silence bringing your attention to the Breath.
- Do an Examen of your day yesterday.
- What gave you life?
- Notice the fruit of labor, the fruitful vine, the happiness, the prosperity, the peace.
- What took life away from you?
- Notice the failed harvest, the withering vine, the desolation, going through the motions, the anxiety.
- Hold both of these before you: those things that gave you life and those things that took life away from you.
- Invite God in these things that you hold before you.
- Seek the fruit of the Spirit in these things that you hold in your hand: love, joy, peace, patience, calmness, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control.
- 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, July 30, 2017, the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
Genesis 29:15-28
Psalm 105:1-11, 45b
Psalm 128:1-6
Romans 8:26-39
Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
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