Month: June 2018

Psalm 9 – The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed

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Psalm 9:9-20

9   The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.
10  And those who know your name put their trust in you,
for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.

11  Sing praises to the LORD, who dwells in Zion.
Declare his deeds among the peoples.
12  For he who avenges blood is mindful of them;
he does not forget the cry of the afflicted.

13  Be gracious to me, O LORD.
See what I suffer from those who hate me;
you are the one who lifts me up from the gates of death,
14  so that I may recount all your praises,
and, in the gates of daughter Zion,
rejoice in your deliverance.

15  The nations have sunk in the pit that they made;
in the net that they hid has their own foot been caught.
16  The LORD has made himself known, he has executed judgment;
the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands.               Higgaion.
Selah
17  The wicked shall depart to Sheol,
all the nations that forget God.

18  For the needy shall not always be forgotten,
nor the hope of the poor perish forever.

19  Rise up, O LORD! Do not let mortals prevail;
let the nations be judged before you.
20  Put them in fear, O LORD;
let the nations know that they are only human.                                   Selah

  • Light a candle to remember Christ’s presence with you.
  • Sit five to fifteen minutes in silent meditation paying attention to the deep breath.
  • What is oppressing you today?
  •  What is binding you?
  • Where do you need freedom?
  • Seek freedom in Christ.
  • What is oppressing your neighbor today?
  • What is binding your neighbor?
  • Where does your neighbor need freedom?
  • How is God calling you to free your neighbor?
  • Seek freedom in Christ.
  • What is oppressing the world today?
  • What is binding the world?
  • Where does the world need freedom?
  • How is God calling you to free the world?
  • Seek freedom in 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, 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

1 Samuel 17 The Philistines gathered their armies for battle

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1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23) 32-49

1aNow the Philistines gathered their armies for battle;

4And there came out from the camp of the Philistines a champion named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. 5He had a helmet of bronze on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze. 6He had greaves of bronze on his legs and a javelin of bronze slung between his shoulders. 7The shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and his spear’s head weighed six hundred shekels of iron; and his shield-bearer went before him. 8He stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why have you come out to draw up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. 9If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants; but if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us.” 10And the Philistine said, “Today I defy the ranks of Israel! Give me a man, that we may fight together.” 11When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.

19Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. 20David rose early in the morning, left someone in charge of the sheep, took the provisions, and went as Jesse had commanded him. He came to the encampment as the army was going forth to the battle line, shouting the war cry. 21Israel and the Philistines drew up for battle, army against army. 22David left the things in charge of the keeper of the baggage, ran to the ranks, and went and greeted his brothers. 23As he talked with them, the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, came up out of the ranks of the Philistines, and spoke the same words as before. And David heard him.

32David said to Saul, “Let no one’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” 33Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are just a boy, and he has been a warrior from his youth.” 34But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father; and whenever a lion or a bear came, and took a lamb from the flock, 35I went after it and struck it down, rescuing the lamb from its mouth; and if it turned against me, I would catch it by the jaw, strike it down, and kill it. 36Your servant has killed both lions and bears; and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, since he has defied the armies of the living God.” 37David said, “The LORD, who saved me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, will save me from the hand of this Philistine.” So Saul said to David, “Go, and may the LORD be with you!”

38Saul clothed David with his armor; he put a bronze helmet on his head and clothed him with a coat of mail. 39David strapped Saul’s sword over the armor, and he tried in vain to walk, for he was not used to them. Then David said to Saul, “I cannot walk with these; for I am not used to them.” So David removed them. 40Then he took his staff in his hand, and chose five smooth stones from the wadi, and put them in his shepherd’s bag, in the pouch; his sling was in his hand, and he drew near to the Philistine.

41The Philistine came on and drew near to David, with his shield-bearer in front of him. 42When the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him, for he was only a youth, ruddy and handsome in appearance. 43The Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44The Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and to the wild animals of the field.” 45But David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword and spear and javelin; but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46This very day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head; and I will give the dead bodies of the Philistine army this very day to the birds of the air and to the wild animals of the earth, so that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, 47and that all this assembly may know that the LORD does not save by sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD’s and he will give you into our hand.”

48When the Philistine drew nearer to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. 49David put his hand in his bag, took out a stone, slung it, and struck the Philistine on his forehead; the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell face down on the ground.

  • 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 breathe, consider how you are being called into battle for the LORD.
  • What enemy are you to fight?
  • How will you prepare?
  • How has God already prepared you?
  • Is there armor you have put on that will impede you?
  • Consider removing it.
  • Put on the armor of God.
  • Notice how it feels and fits.
  • Do you feel heavy or light?
  • Do you feel weak or strong?
  • Imagine how you will arrive in the name of the Lord.
  • 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

 

Mark 4: 26-34 Seeding and Sprouting and Growing and Harvesting

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Mark 4:26-34

26He also said, “The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, 27and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. 28The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. 29But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.”

30He also said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? 31It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; 32yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”

33With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; 34he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.

  • 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.
  • What is growing in you right now?
  • Identify the stage of growth and consider the elements needed to sustain this growth.
  • Has the growth been slow like a tree or quick like the mustard seed?
  • Are you growing alone?  with a community?  both?
  • How deep are your roots?
  • Have you tried to harvest too quickly?
  • Allow yourself to be at peace with this place of growth.
  • Allow God to guide you revealing to you the next step.  Perhaps that will be today.  Maybe next week.  Seek God’s perfect timing.
  • Listen for that which Christ will explain to you in private?
  • 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 17, 2018, the Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

I Samuel 15:34-16:13
Psalm 20
2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17
Mark 4:26-34

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 5 – If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation…

/ Lil Smith / Leave a comment

2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17

6So we are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord — 7for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8Yes, we do have confidence, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10For all of us must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense for what has been done in the body, whether good or evil.

11Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we try to persuade others; but we ourselves are well known to God, and I hope that we are also well known to your consciences. 12We are not commending ourselves to you again, but giving you an opportunity to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast in outward appearance and not in the heart. 13For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. 15And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them.

16From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. 17So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!

  • 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, allow your wings to expand you, as a butterfly opens and closes its wings.
  • Allow the breath to reach the tips of your fingertips.
  • Feel the expanse of breath in your chest.
  • Consider how you are in Christ today.
  • Acknowledge the old that has passed away.
  • Embrace the new that has been born.
  • Is there part of you that needs to die to self?
  • So that Christ can make you new today?
  • Let go of what you can.  Christ will take it from you.
  • Feel the new spots of color that brighten your wings.
  • What new color do you see?
  • Christ continues to create new things in you each day.  Thanks be to 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 17, 2018, the Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

I Samuel 15:34-16:13
Psalm 20
2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17
Mark 4:26-34

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

Psalm 20 – May the LORD Fulfill all Your Petitions

/ Lil Smith / Leave a comment

Psalm 20

1   The LORD answer you in the day of trouble!
The name of the God of Jacob protect you!
2   May he send you help from the sanctuary,
and give you support from Zion.
3   May he remember all your offerings,
and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices.                    Selah

4   May he grant your heart’s desire
and fulfill all your plans.
5   May we shout for joy over your victory,
and in the name of our God set up our banners.
May the LORD fulfill all your petitions.

6   Now I know that the LORD will help his anointed;
he will answer him from his holy heaven
with mighty victories by his right hand.
7   Some take pride in chariots, and some in horses,
but our pride is in the name of the LORD our God.
8   They will collapse and fall,
but we shall rise and stand upright.

9   Give victory to the king, O LORD;
answer us when we call.

  • 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.
  • Consider the prayer that you need answered today.
  • Find where this prayer is located in your body.
  • Imagine yourself gently taking this prayer outside of your body and holding it cupped in your hands before you.
  • Allow the Holy Spirit to hold you as you gently lift the prayer in front of you.
  • Notice everything you can about the prayer: the shape, the color, the texture, etc.
  • Is there anything about the prayer that surprises you?
  • Is there anything about the prayer that is missing?
  • What does God have to share with you about your prayer?
  • What answer is forming?
  • As you close your prayer time today, find a place in your body that wants to accept the prayer and hold it gently.
  • Whether or not you have heard the answer or part of the answer, visit the prayer periodically over the day and notice any change or growth.
  • 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 17, 2018, the Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

I Samuel 15:34-16:13
Psalm 20
2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17
Mark 4:26-34

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

1 Samuel 15:34-16:13 The LORD Looks on the Heart

/ Lil Smith / Leave a comment

1 Samuel 15:34-16:13

15:34Then Samuel went to Ramah; and Saul went up to his house in Gibeah of Saul. 35Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death, but Samuel grieved over Saul. And the LORD was sorry that he had made Saul king over Israel.

16:1The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul? I have rejected him from being king over Israel. Fill your horn with oil and set out; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.” 2Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears of it, he will kill me.” And the LORD said, “Take a heifer with you, and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ 3Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; and you shall anoint for me the one whom I name to you.” 4Samuel did what the LORD commanded, and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling, and said, “Do you come peaceably?” 5He said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD; sanctify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” And he sanctified Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

6When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is now before the LORD.” 7But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the LORD does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” 8Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. He said, “Neither has the LORD chosen this one.” 9Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the LORD chosen this one.” 10Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, and Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen any of these.” 11Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here.” 12He sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and had beautiful eyes, and was handsome. The LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; for this is the one.” 13Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the presence of his brothers; and the spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward.

  • 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 breathe, open your heart to God.
  • What does the LORD see on your heart?
  • The LORD chooses you not because of what is seen but by what is on the heart.
  • What part of your heart are you hiding from the LORD?
  • Is there something that needs to change?
  • Offer this prayer, “Change my heart, O God, that I may be wholly thine.”
  • Continue to offer this prayer over and over as you continue opening your heart.
  • As you open, remember that all experiences belong.
  • Allow God to heal broken places in your heart.
  • Allow God to open closed off places in your heart.
  • Let the love flow through you.
  • Savor the love that you find there.
  • Share the love that you find there.
  • Be set free from any past hurt, and love freely the love that God has placed in 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 17, 2018, the Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

I Samuel 15:34-16:13
Psalm 20
2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17
Mark 4:26-34

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