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: Isaiah 43:1-13
Reading for Reflection:
Retire from the world each day to some private spot, even if it be only the bedroom (for a while I retreated to the furnace room for want of a better place). Stay in the secret place till the surrounding noises begin to fade out of your heart and a sense of God’s presence envelopes you…Listen for the inward Voice till you learn to recognize it. Stop trying to compete with others. Give yourself to God and then be what and who you are without regard to what others think…Learn to pray inwardly every moment. After a while you can do this even while you work….Read less, but more of what is important to your inner life. Never let your mind remain scattered for very long. Call home your roving thoughts. Gaze on Christ with the eyes of your soul. Practice spiritual concentration. All of the above is contingent upon a right relation to God through Christ and daily meditation on the Scriptures. Lacking these, nothing will help us; granted these, the discipline recommended will go far to neutralize the evil effects of externalism and to make us acquainted with God and our own souls. (The Pursuit of God by A. W. Tozer)
If you will acknowledge, recognize, and pray—if you will commit yourself to this process of listening—you will begin to realize that the voice you have heard so often across the days of your life has been His voice. (He Speaks Softly by Bob Benson)
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)
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