It is night.
The night is for stillness.
Let us be still in the presence of God.
It is night after a long day.
What has been done has been done;
what has not been done has not been done;
Let it be.
The night is dark.
Let our fears of the darkness of the world and of our own lives
rest in you.
The night is quiet.
Let the quietness of your peace enfold us,
all dear to us,
and all who have no peace.
The night heralds the dawn.
Let us look expectantly to a new day,
new joys,
new possibilities.
In your name we pray.
From “Night Prayer,” in A New Zealand Prayer Book
The night is for stillness.
Let us be still in the presence of God.
It is night after a long day.
What has been done has been done;
what has not been done has not been done;
Let it be.
The night is dark.
Let our fears of the darkness of the world and of our own lives
rest in you.
The night is quiet.
Let the quietness of your peace enfold us,
all dear to us,
and all who have no peace.
The night heralds the dawn.
Let us look expectantly to a new day,
new joys,
new possibilities.
In your name we pray.
From “Night Prayer,” in A New Zealand Prayer Book
Imaging the Word An Arts and Lectionary Resource, Volume 2
Spiritual Practices: Lectio Divina
Lectio Divina, or Diving Reading, is a method of reading, reflecting on, and praying the Scripture that has been used by the church for centuries. It focuses on communing with God in Scripture rather than simply studying Scripture for intellectual understanding. Click here for more information on how to practice Lectio Divina. Here are some suggested verses in this passage that may lend themselves to conversation with God through the practice of Lectio Divina.
Suggested Verses
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7)
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. (1 Peter 5:10)
Lectio Divina, or Diving Reading, is a method of reading, reflecting on, and praying the Scripture that has been used by the church for centuries. It focuses on communing with God in Scripture rather than simply studying Scripture for intellectual understanding. Click here for more information on how to practice Lectio Divina. Here are some suggested verses in this passage that may lend themselves to conversation with God through the practice of Lectio Divina.
Suggested Verses
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7)
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. (1 Peter 5:10)
Spiritual Practices: Prayer walking
Overview
As Peter wraps up his first letter, which has focused primarily of dealing with suffering, he concludes by saying that the God of all grace will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish us. This is a hope and promise that we can all cling to, but it can also be a prayer for our community.
This week take a prayer walk around your neighborhood, drive through your community, or simply pray this prayer over the people that you meet while going about your daily activities.
Prayer
God of all grace, restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish.
Overview
As Peter wraps up his first letter, which has focused primarily of dealing with suffering, he concludes by saying that the God of all grace will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish us. This is a hope and promise that we can all cling to, but it can also be a prayer for our community.
This week take a prayer walk around your neighborhood, drive through your community, or simply pray this prayer over the people that you meet while going about your daily activities.
Prayer
God of all grace, restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish.