MONDAY MARCH 25, 2024
DAILY SCRIPTURE:
PSALM 27
JOHN 12:1-8
This past Sunday, Pastor Clark preached from John 12. This week we will have a daily Psalm to pray and a passage from John 12 along with a daily discipline, reflection, meditation, poem, or prayer.
DAILY DISCIPLINE: MEDITATION ON SCRIPTURE
Today we will provide a Meditation and Reflection during the Lenten Journey.
LET’S BEGIN:
SIT IN YOUR QUIET SPACE:
READ SCRIPTURE:
Read slowly and allow the words to penetrate.
JOHN 12:1-8
SILENCE:
If you would like to set a timer for 5 or 10 min. If you haven’t practiced mediation or it has been a while maybe start with 5 minutes.
Find a posture as you sit with a straight back; I like to think a tall back. Pretend a string is coming down from ceiling and is attached to the top of your head.
Not rigid and not too relaxed.
CENTERING PRAYER:
“Jesus, let me feel your love.”
Repeat 3-4 times.
SILENT MEDITATION:
Once you feel centered begin:
Sit in silence. If your mind begins to wonder don’t stress. Come back to the breath and the centering prayer 2 or 3 times.
If images or words come to mind. Don’t focus to hard on them just make a note of it and get back to the breath and centering prayer.
Once the timer has gone off you may open your eyes.
READ SCRIPTURE A SECOND TIME:
John 12:1-8
CENTERING PRAYER:
Eyes open or closed.
Begin Centering Prayer
Breathe in … “Lord have mercy,”
Breathe out… “Christ have mercy.”
Or whichever prayer you choose.
SOLITUDE AND SILENCE:
Sit in silence before the Lord another 5- 10 minutes.
CLOSING:
Pray the Lord’s Prayer
Amen.
TUESDAY MARCH 26, 2024
DAILY SCRIPTURE:
PSALM 42
JOHN 12:12-15
The haiku is a Japanese poetic form that consists of three lines, with five syllables in the first line, seven in the second, and five in the third.
This haiku is Holy Spirit inspired from John 12:12-15
By Maria Monetta
Christ, the chosen one,
Triumphantly enters town,
Most humble of kings.
Take some time and read through our scripture in John or the Psalm and write your own Haiku, or a poem on something that stood out to you, or just write freely what the Holy Spirit brings to you.
WEDNESDAY MARCH 27, 2024
DAILY SCRIPTURE:
PSALM 34
JOHN 12:20-22
DAILY MEDITATION: FROM THE COMMUNITY
WHOM DO THEY SEE?
Lonetta Key
“Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “‘Sir,’” they said, “’we would like to see Jesus.’” Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.” John 12:20-22
For today’s purpose we are focusing on verse 21. “‘Sir,’ they said, ‘we would like to see Jesus.’” What an intriguing passage. Seven very insightful words expressing a soul desire. Notice the respect they accorded Phillip by addressing him as Sir even though he was just a common man from Galilee, a region not highly regarded. I dare say he had an aura about him that bespoke his intimate friendship with the Lord— something obviously apparent that prompted these people to seek him out.
Another point not to be missed is that these asking Phillip’s help were Greeks, not of his culture. But he presented himself as very approachable. Phillip so emanated the divine spirit of Christ that those not of his community were even drawn to him.
In addition, understanding the serious responsibility being placed on him, he sought assistance from Andrew. And together they took the request of the Greeks to Jesus.
So what lessons can we take away? First, before we can adequately represent the Savior to others we must make certain that we are truly seeing Jesus ourselves. That we are a living example of Christ like behavior. As Paul said in Philippians 2:5, “Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus:” Also, do never be deterred from soliciting the support of one of your fellow disciples.
Then let us ask ourselves, do people see Jesus in us? Do our lives cause them to want to know Him? Does our demeanor express an attitude of being accessible no matter from whom the appeal might come?
How the world yearns to see Jesus often without even knowing it. They search to fill the void in their lives. Even the most successful know something is missing. And many times we are their only conduit. One of the greatest honors we can experience as His followers is to be asked to show someone Jesus.
Oh my friend open your ears to hearing the heart cries of those around you who do not know the Lord. They are pleading for you to help them see Jesus.
THURSDAY MARCH 28, 2024
DAILY SCRIPTURE:
PSALM 45
JOHN 12:23-26
DAILY EXERCISE: LECTIO DEVINA
Today’s practice will be Lectio Divina, the literally meaning “divine reading,” but better translated as “spiritual reading.”
Lectio Divina is broken up into 5 separate sections:
- SILENCO – Silence (we can use our Centering Prayer to help prepare.) Take 60 seconds (or more) in silent preparation for sacred reading.
- LECTIO – Listen to the text by reading out loud slowly and repeat 3 times.
- MEDITATO – Meditation – Reflect on what word, words, phrase or sentence that speaks to you from the text, then write it down.
- ORATIO – Pray – Pray as responding to the words, phrases, sentence that God has stirred in you.
- CONTEMPLATIO – Rest in the presence of God, allowing the words revealed to take root.[1]
LET’S BEGIN:
- SILENCIO – 60 seconds or more of silence
- LECTIO – Scripture read out loud slowly and repeated 3 times.
- John 12:23-26
- MEDITATIO – Reflection on a word, words, phrase, or sentence that speaks to you from the text. Hold onto it or write it down.
- ORATIO – Pray as responding to the words, phrase sentences that God has stirred in you.
- CONTEMPLATIO – Rest in the presence of God allowing the words revealed to take root: 3 to 5 minutes.
- AMEN
FRIDAY MARCH 29, 2024
DAILY SCRIPTURE:
PSALM 22
JOHN 12:27-33
JOHN 18:16-27
Maybe take time today to read through the whole passion of our LORD. Make note of things that move in you or stand out and write those down. Take time to meditate on the word, verse, phrase or image that moved you.
SATURDAY MARCH 30, 2024
DAILY SCRIPTURE:
PSALM 30
JOHN 18:38-42
DAILY DISCIPLINE: STAURDAY EXAMEN
PRAYER OF EXAMEN
The following practice is called The Examen where one simply pauses to prayerfully reflect on your week with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
What has brought new life and joy this week?
Where have you seen Jesus revealed in a new or fresh way?
What has surprised or disturbed you this week?
Share with God an encounter that changed, challenged, or comforted you.
Ponder times when you may have resisted God’s guidance.
What has stopped you from being wholehearted?
Speak with the Lord about this.
Pray for the week to come, for God’s guiding hand in your life and your interactions with others.
Are there any Spiritual Disciplines you have committed to practice throughout Lent? Ask the Lord for grace to remain faithful in those disciplines.
Closing Prayer
You have given all to me.
To you, Lord, I return it.
Everything is yours; do with it what you will.
Give me only your love and your grace,
[1] My.lectiodivinajouranl.com