Month: June 2018

Mark 5:21-43 – Your faith has made you well

/ Lil Smith / Leave a comment

Mark 5:21-43

21When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered around him; and he was by the sea. 22Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet 23and begged him repeatedly, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.” 24So he went with him.

And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him. 25Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. 26She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. 27She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28for she said, “If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.” 29Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my clothes?” 31And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, ‘Who touched me?'” 32He looked all around to see who had done it. 33But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. 34He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”

  • 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 scan your body and your thoughts, consider what in you needs to be made well.
  • As you engage your faith, complete this phrase, “If I but _________, I will be made well.”
  • Continue to say this phrase to yourself over and over in sync with your breath.
  • Bring your fears and your tremblings before Christ.
  • Kneel before Christ.
  • Tell Christ the whole truth.
  • Believe your faith in Jesus Christ will make you well.
  • Seek the peace within you.
  • Be awake and aware in your day as you encounter signs of healing.  Be open to the healing Jesus has for you.  Seek the peace within you.
  • At the close of day, review the events of the day and see where you encountered Jesus.  What kind of healing did Jesus have for you?
  • Repeat again tomorrow and each day to come as you wish.
  • 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 1, 2012, the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27
Psalm 130
2 Corinthians 8:7-15
Mark 5:21-43

If you use these prayers in other groups, please give credit to author. Permission to use in not-for-profit settings. (c) 2018 The Dr. Rev. Lil Smith, DASD

2 Corinthians 8:7-15 – The one who had much did not have too much. The one who had little did not have too little.

/ Lil Smith / Leave a comment

2 Corinthians 8:7-15

7Now as you excel in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you — so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking.

8I do not say this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love against the earnestness of others.9For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.10And in this matter I am giving my advice: it is appropriate for you who began last year not only to do something but even to desire to do something — 11now finish doing it, so that your eagerness may be matched by completing it according to your means.12For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has — not according to what one does not have.13I do not mean that there should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of a fair balance between14your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may be for your need, in order that there may be a fair balance.15As it is written, “The one who had much did not have too much, and the one who had little did not have too little.”

  • 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 follow your breath, let your focus become that which you are giving in the name of the Lord.
  • How does this giving bless you?
  • How does this giving make you rich?
  • What did you give up to be able to give more?
  • What might you give more abundantly so that others might be blessed?
  • What does your neighbor give in the name of the Lord?
  • How does this giving bless your neighbor?
  • How does this giving make your neighbor rich?
  • What did your neighbor give up in order to receive more blessing?
  • What might your neighbor give more abundantly so that others might be blessed?
  • Who has too much?
  • Who has too little?
  • What is God’s message for you?
  • Is there a call to action?
  • 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 1, 2012, the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27
Psalm 130
2 Corinthians 8:7-15
Mark 5:21-43

If you use these prayers in other groups, please give credit to author. Permission to use in not-for-profit settings. (c) 2018 The Dr. Rev. Lil Smith, DASD

Psalm 130 – Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.

/ Lil Smith / Leave a comment

Psalm 130

1Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD.
2Lord, hear my voice
Let your ears be attentive
to the voice of my supplications!
3If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities,
Lord, who could stand?
4But there is forgiveness with you,
so that you may be revered.
5I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;
6my soul waits for the Lord
more than those who watch for the morning,
more than those who watch for the morning.
7O Israel, hope in the LORD!
For with the LORD there is steadfast love,
and with him is great power to redeem.
8It is he who will redeem Israel
from all its iniquities.

  • 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 open yourself today to encounter God, find any hidden places which have not been opened.
  • Allow this to be your focus today.
  • Consider the depths in that hidden place.  Stretch and reach out of your comfort zone.
  • Believe that God reaches into those depths with you.
  • This is the power to redeem the darkest, the scariest, the deepest hidden place.
  • This hope is greater than the promise of the rising sun.
  • This hope is the risen Son.
  • Christ will meet you in the depths.
  • Christ is already there.
  • Open to Christ.
  • Pour out your story, your heart, your lament.
  • Feel the steadfast love and the power redeeming you.
  • Savor being held in the love of Christ.
  • 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 1, 2012, the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27
Psalm 130
2 Corinthians 8:7-15
Mark 5:21-43

If you use these prayers in other groups, please give credit to author. Permission to use in not-for-profit settings. (c) 2018 The Dr. Rev. Lil Smith, DASD

2 Samuel 1:1,17-27 – How the mighty have fallen in the midst of battle.

/ Lil Smith / Leave a comment

2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27

1After the death of Saul, when David had returned from defeating the Amalekites, David remained two days in Ziklag.

17David intoned this lamentation over Saul and his son Jonathan. 18(He ordered that The Song of the Bow be taught to the people of Judah; it is written in the Book of Jashar.) He said: 19Your glory, O Israel, lies slain upon your high places! How the mighty have fallen! 20Tell it not in Gath, proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon; or the daughters of the Philistines will rejoice, the daughters of the uncircumcised will exult. 21You mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew or rain upon you, nor bounteous fields! For there the shield of the mighty was defiled, the shield of Saul, anointed with oil no more.22From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan did not turn back, nor the sword of Saul return empty. 23Saul and Jonathan, beloved and lovely! In life and in death they were not divided; they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions. 24O daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you with crimson, in luxury, who put ornaments of gold on your apparel. 25How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan lies slain upon your high places. 26I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; greatly beloved were you to me; your love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women. 27How the mighty have fallen, and the weapons of war perished!

  • 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, tap into a place of lament.
  • Perhaps you grieve the loss of a loved one or you have been limited in some way.
  • Allow this place to come to the surface and share your lament with Christ.
  • As Christ know suffering, surely Christ will accompany you in this time.
  • Take time to lament the loss.
  • Take time to remember.
  • Let Christ hold you.
  • Breathe.
  • Allow the times of joy to fill your breath.  Remember the laughter, the tears, the kiss, the comfort.
  • The mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle.
  • What battle was fought for the Lord?
  • As you sit on this side of the suffering, what goodness did God create in the midst of your lament?
  • God continues to provide healing for you.
  • Embrace the healing that God wants to give you new each day.
  • 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 1, 2012, the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27
Psalm 130
2 Corinthians 8:7-15
Mark 5:21-43

If you use these prayers in other groups, please give credit to author. Permission to use in not-for-profit settings. (c) 2018 The Dr. Rev. Lil Smith, DASD

Mark 4:35-41 – Peace! Be Still!

/ Lil Smith / Leave a comment

“Calming the Storm” by Jim Janknegt. Used with permission

Mark 4:35-41

35On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. 37A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. 38But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. 40He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

  • 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 still yourself, consider what storm is raging in you.
  • What fear arises in this storm?
  • In what ways do you feel like Jesus is asleep in the boat?
  • What do you need Jesus to do for you to calm the storm?
  • Ask Jesus to do this for you.
  • Listen and watch for the wind and the sea to obey in God’s time.
  • Keep your eyes turned toward Jesus.
  • Give thanks to God for this time in prayer and for any new insights you have received.

Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday, June 24, 2018, the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

I Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23) 32-49
1 Samuel 17:57-18:5, 10-16
Psalm 9:9-20
2 Corinthians 6:1-13
Mark 4:35-41

If you use these prayers in other groups, please give credit to author. Permission to use in not-for-profit settings. (c) 2018 The Rev. Dr. Lil Smith, DASD

2 Corinthians 6:1-13 – Now is the acceptable time

/ Lil Smith / Leave a comment

2 Corinthians 6:1-13

1As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. 2For he says,
“At an acceptable time I have listened to you,
and on a day of salvation I have helped you.”
See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! 3We are putting no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love, 7truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9as unknown, and yet are well known; as dying, and see — we are alive; as punished, and yet not killed; 10as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

11We have spoken frankly to you Corinthians; our heart is wide open to you. 12There is no restriction in our affections, but only in yours. 13In return — I speak as to children — open wide your hearts also.

  • 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.
  • Scan your mind.
  • What is keeping you from opening your heart?
  • Let this obstacle be your focus.  Find where you are holding this obstacle in your body.
  • Imagine gently taking this obstacle out of your body and holding it before you.  Take any preparation time you need.
  • As you hold this obstacle before you, decide if you want to set it aside.
  • As you look at the obstacle, where do you see God in the obstacle?
  • Allow  God to hold the obstacle for you.
  • Notice the space that is created within you that once held the obstacle.  What do you notice about this space?
  • Do you feel light or heavy?  Tension or freedom?  Cold or warm?
  • Breathe into this space that has been created.
  • Savor the space that has been created.
  • Listen to what arises from within you.
  • What message do you hear from God?
  • Return to the obstacle that God is holding for you.
  • You may allow God to continue holding this obstacle or you may imagine yourself placing the obstacle within 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, June 24, 2018, the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

I Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23) 32-49
1 Samuel 17:57-18:5, 10-16
Psalm 9:9-20
2 Corinthians 6:1-13
Mark 4:35-41

If you use these prayers in other groups, please give credit to author. Permission to use in not-for-profit settings. (c) 2018 The Rev. Dr. Lil Smith, DASD