God's voice, day 1

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

Opening Prayer:
Lord, teach me to listen.  The times are noisy and my ears are weary with the thousand raucous sounds which continuously assault them.  Give me the spirit of the boy Samuel when he said to Thee, “Speak, for thy servant heareth.”  Let me hear Thee speaking in my heart.  Let me get used to the sound of Thy voice, that its tones may be familiar when the sounds of earth die away and the only sound will be the music of Thy speaking voice.  Amen.  (The Pursuit of God by A. W. Tozer)


Psalm for the Week: Psalm 29

Scripture for the Day: Matthew 3:13-17

Reading for Reflection:

Theological reflection is reflecting on the painful and joyful realities of every day with the mind of Jesus and thereby raising human consciousness to the knowledge of God’s gentle guidance.  This is a hard discipline, since God’s presence is often a hidden presence, a presence that needs to be discovered.  The loud, boisterous noises of the world make us deaf to the soft, gentle, and loving voice of God.  A Christian leader is called to help people to hear that voice and so be comforted and consoled. (In the Name of Jesus by Henri J. M. Nouwen)


Reflection and Listening: silent and written

Prayer: for the church, for others, for myself

Song for the Week: Blessed Be Your Name

Blessed be your name
In the land that is plentiful
Where the streams of abundance flow
Blessed be your name

 Blessed be your name

When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be your name

Every blessing you pour out, I turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord, still I will say...

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name

Blessed be your name

When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's all as it should be
Blessed be your name

 Blessed be your name

On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering

Blessed be your name
You give and take away, You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, Blessed be your name!

Closing Prayer:
Father, you have taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and confidence we shall be strengthened:  By Your Spirit lift us to Your presence, where we may be still and know that You are God. (Living Prayer by Robert Benson)