naked, day 3

Come to Stillness:

Take a few minutes to allow your mind and heart to be still before God.

Opening Prayer:
O Lord my God, how I long to recapture the purity and joy of the Garden—when I was able to stand before you (and others) naked and unashamed. That, indeed, is what I was made for. But this side of heaven that is not my reality. My reality is filled with fear and shame; hiding and covering—terrified that I will be exposed, found out, not enough. How I genuinely long for true communion with you; total vulnerability; deep trust—to be fully known and fully loved. Have mercy on me! Amen. (JLB)

Psalm for the Week: Psalm 30

Scripture for the Day: 2 Corinthians 5:2-5

Reading for Reflection:

In the stripping of the dark night we encounter God in a deeper way than we may ever have allowed ourselves before…The outward elements of our life which used to bring a sense of fulfillment are often gone or drained of meaning.  The techniques of prayer which used to be so meaningful are no longer so.  We cannot control God’s presence.  In fact, our “self” has no material with which to work.  As a result we feel as if the self has been broken.

     In a deep sense, this is just what has happened.  The old self cracks open, we discover not the annihilation we had feared but a deeper “I.”  This deeper “I” is not a possession that can be remade through all our efforts at self-improvement.  This deepest self is a gift from God. (Dark Night by Sandra Cronk, Weavings, Volume XXIV, Number I, January/February 2009, p. 15-19)

 

Reflection and Listening: silent and written

Prayer: for the church, for others, for myself

Song for the Week: Just As I Am

Just as I am without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me
And that Thou bidd'st me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come. I come.

Just as I am, and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot.
To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come. I come.

Just as I am, tho’ tossed about,
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings within, and fears without,
O Lamb of God, I come. I come.

Just as I am poor, wretched, blind—
Sight, riches, healings of the mind,
Yea, all I need in Thee I find,
O Lamb of God, I come. I come.

Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve,
O yes Thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come. I come.

 

Closing Prayer:
Lord Jesus, give me the grace and the strength and the courage to take off that which I use to cover myself; and to clothe myself only and always in you alone. Amen. (JLB)