2 Peter 1:16-21

¹⁶For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. ¹⁷For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” ¹⁸We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain.

¹⁹So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. ²⁰First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, ²¹because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

• Light a candle to remember Christ’s presence with you.
• Sit in darkness for five minutes.
• Light a candle to remember Christ’s presence with you.
• Sit five minutes in silence watching the light and life of the flame.
• What do you see, hear, smell, taste, feel?
• Hear the words, ‘This is my son, my Beloved with whom I am well pleased.”
• Remember the prophecy of these words as they are fulfilled in Jesus.
• See the light and life of Christ in the flame.
• The day is dawning and the morning star is rising in your heart.
• Let the light and life of Christ shine on your face.  Feel the warmth, see the dance, smell the fragrance, listen as the Holy Spirit speaks these words to you, “You are my beloved with whom I am well pleased.”
• You are beloved.
• How does God need you to share your belovedness?
• Think of someone who needs to know the belovedness of God.
• How will you share this with them today?
• 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, February 23, 2020, the Transfiguration of the Lord (Year A)

If you use these prayers in other groups, please give credit to author. Permission to use in not-for-profit settings.  (c) 2020 The Rev. Dr. Lil Smith, DASD

Rev. Dr. Lil Smith is a trained spiritual director, supervisor, and co-founder of Retreat House Spirituality Center in Richardson, TX.  Upon completion of her spiritual direction training, Lil began Praying the Lectionary in 2011 as a spiritual practice for her morning prayer time.  Instead of reading about someone else’s experience of God, it was important for her to create a prayer practice that would encourage felt sense experience of the Holy emerging from within.  It dawned on her others might enjoy the practice, as well.  So she began to share them on this site.

As you experience the practice of Praying the Lectionary, adopt a loving, caring, and compassionate stance.  If the end of your prayer and meditation time is not pointing to love and hope, there is more work to do.  Keep wrestling.  God is faithful to your journey.  Love and hope will emerge.  Be gentle with yourself and befriend any judgment that arises in you.