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MEDITATION:

Written by Dallas Willard  (1935-2013), an American philosopher and writer on Christian spiritual formation.  This is an excerpt from his work “The Divine Conspiracy.”

To put off the old person and put on the new we only follow Jesus into activities that he engaged in to nurture his own life in relation to the Father. Of course, his calling and mission was out of all proportion to ours, and he never had our weaknesses, which result from our long training in sin. But his use of solitude, silence, study of scripture, prayer, and service to others all had a disciplinary aspect in his life. And we can be very sure that what he found useful for conduct of his life in the Father will also be useful for us. It was an important day in my life when at last I understood that if he needed forty days in the wilderness at one point, I very likely could use three or four.

This crucial point carries on down through the ages during which his people have been on earth. The ones who have made great spiritual progress all seriously engaged with a fairly standard list of disciplines for the spiritual life. There has been abuse and misunderstanding, no doubt, but the power of solitude, silence, meditative study, prayer, sacrificial giving, service, and so forth as disciplines are simply beyond question. This is a field of knowledge, and we remain ignorant of it to our great disadvantage.

PRAYER:

Written by Dallas Willard, author of today’s meditation.  It is a paraphrase that highlights elements of the Lord’s Prayer.

Dear Father always near us,
may your name be treasured and loved,
may your rule be completed in us —
may your will be done here on earth in
just the way it is done in heaven.
Give us today the things we need today,
and forgive us our sins and impositions on you
as we are forgiving all who in any way offend us.
Please don’t put us through trials,
but deliver us from everything bad.
Because you are the one in charge,
and you have all the power, and the glory too is all yours — forever- which is just the way we want it!

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MEDITATION:

Written by James C. Fenhagen 1929-2012, an Episcopal Rector, author, and Seminary administrator. This is an excerpt from his book “Invitation to Holiness.”

Holiness in human life is a reflection of the holiness of God and, therefore, has always been associated with religious experience. Holiness is a special word that suggests not so much a particular quality of the divine, as the essence of that transcendent mystery which for the believer stands at the center of human existence. The word holiness carries with it connotations of the numinous, and therefore includes the experience of awe and wonder and power—all of which cannot be clearly defined. Holiness always implies something more — pointing to that mystery which can never be contained. More than any other word in the history of language, it speaks of the essence of religious experience.

PRAYER:

Written by Pope Gregory I (Unk – 604), famous for instigating the first recorded large-scale mission from Rome to convert the then pagan Anglo-Saxons in England to Christianity.

 Almighty and eternal God,

you are the brightness of the faithful.

You have made this day holy

by the first-fruits of the chosen Gentiles.

Fill the world with your glory

and show yourself by the radiance of your light

to the nations that are subject to you;

through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Elton Trueblood (1900-1994), an American Quaker author and theologian and former chaplain to both Harvard and Stanford Universities. This is an excerpt from his book “The New Man for Our Time.”

When we begin to ask what the conditions of inner renewal are, we receive essentially the same answers from nearly all of those whom we have most reason to respect. One major answer is the emphasis upon discipline.  In the conduct of one’s own life it is soon obvious, as many have learned the hard way, that empty freedom is a snare and a delusion. In following what comes naturally or easily, life simply ends in confusion, and in consequent disaster. Without the discipline of time, we spoil the next day the night before, and without the discipline of prayer, we are likely to end by having practically no experience of the divine-human encounter. However, compassionate we may be with others, we dare not be soft or indulgent with ourselves. Excellence comes at a price, and one of the major prices is that of inner control.

PRAYER:

Written by Jennifer Clarke, a contemporary Christian author.

 Dear Heavenly Father, I confess that too often, I allow myself to be controlled by my desires and my impulses rather than by Your Spirit. Please forgive me and help me to draw me closer to You, walking in Your Spirit every moment of every day. This is impossible for me apart from Your grace, so please grant it lavishly, as you promise. It’s in the name of my Savior, Jesus Christ, that I pray. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Macrina Wiederkehr, a contemporary Christian author. This is an excerpt from her book “A Tree Full of Angels.”

Every time I say no to the birthing and dying that is set before me at the table of daily life, I seem to hear the echo of Jesus’ words to the woman at the well, “if you but knew the gift of God…” Whether God weeps at the beauty and potential of our lives at birth, or the lost potential of graced moments along the way, I hear that voice urging us to claim our splendor and our glory, “If you but knew the gift of God…”  The gift of God is the Divine Indwelling. It comes quietly into your frailty at baptism. You become a tabernacle for the Source of Life. When you come to understand this old yet often forgotten truth, you will know what is meant by the words “heaven on earth.” This is it! You are beginning to live heaven on earth in the Divine Indwelling. You, frail earth-creature, having given your frailty over to God, have created a place of splendor within the depths of your being, a holy and eternal space where you meet God face to face. Cherish this truth. It is costly grace.

PRAYER:

This prayer is from the Lord’s Leaven Mission Society.

My Lord and my God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I believe that You are dwelling in spirit in the deepest center of my soul. I adore You, I love You and I trust in You; for You are the source of my being and my life in all that I think, say and do. Help me to see You in the heart of others, and see the reflection of You in everything that You have made. Help me to understand the things I cannot change. May Your name be praised, blessed and glorified forevermore. Amen.​

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MEDITATION:

Written by Steve Harper, a retired seminary professor and author.  This is from his book “Devotional Life in the Wesleyan Tradition.”

John Wesley knew that an objective standard was necessary for genuine spirituality. For him, that standard was the Bible. He was committed to the centrality and authority of scripture. Although Wesley read hundreds of books on a wide range of subjects, he continually referred to himself as homo unis libri – a man of one book. Even though he published approximately six hundred works on various themes, he resolutely maintained that he allowed no rule, whether of faith or practice, other than the Holy Scriptures. In the preface to his Standard Sermons Wesley explains, “O give me that book! At any price, give me the book of God!…Here is knowledge enough for me.”

PRAYER:

This prayer to the Holy Spirit is from The Book of Prayers.

Lord,

by the light of the Holy Spirit

you have taught the hearts of your faithful.

In the same Spirit

help us to relish what is right

and always rejoice in your consolation.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Joann Wolski Conn, a contemporary professor of counseling and author. This is an excerpt from her book “Women’s Spirituality.”

Spirituality as life experience and as a field of study is no longer identified simply with asceticism and mysticism, or with the practice of virtue and methods of prayer. From the perspective of the actualization of the human capacity to be spiritual encompasses all of life. In general, religious spirituality is a matter of the experience and/or study of the actualization of human self-transcendence by the Holy, by Ultimate Concern—that is, by what is acknowledged as “religious.” Specifically, Christian spirituality involves the actualization of this human capacity through the experience of God, in Jesus the Christ, through the gift of the Spirit. Because this God, Jesus, and the Spirit are experienced through body-community-history-influenced human life and symbols, Christian spirituality includes every dimension of human life. Thus, Christian spiritual development cannot legitimately be identified as soul development, nor be exclusively associated with development in prayer and virtue. To be adequately experienced and studied, it should be viewed as total human development.

PRAYER:

This prayer is adapted from Colossians 1:9-12.

God fill us with the knowledge of your will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. May we live a life worthy of you Lord, and may we please you in every way. May we bear fruit in every good work, grow in the knowledge of you, God, and be strengthened with all power according to your glorious might.  Provide us with great endurance and patience.  We joyfully give thanks to you, Lord God. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Oswald Chambers (1874-1917), a Scottish evangelist and teacher.  This is an excerpt from his book “My Utmost for His Highest.” 

We are apt to forget the mystical, supernatural touch of God. If you can tell where you got the call of God and all about it, I question whether you have ever had a call. The call of God does not come like that, it is much more supernatural. The realization of it in a man’s life may come with a sudden thunder-clap or with a gradual dawning, but in whatever way it comes, it comes with the undercurrent of the supernatural, something that cannot be put into words, it is always accompanied with a glow. At any moment there may break the sudden consciousness of this incalculable, supernatural, surprising call that has taken hold of your life — “I have chosen you.”

If you have been obliterating the great supernatural call of God in your life, take a review of your circumstances and see where God has not been first, but your ideas of service, or your temperamental abilities. Paul said — “Woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” He had realized the call of God, and there was no competitor for his strength. If a man or woman is called of God, it does not matter how untoward circumstances are, every force that has been at work will tell for God’s purpose in the end. If you agree with God’s purpose. He will bring not only your conscious life, but all the deeper regions of your life which you cannot get at, into harmony.

PRAYER:

Written by Natalie Regoli, a contemporary Christian author and lawyer.

O God of Enduring Faithfulness, I believe in You and want to follow You in my actions every day. I want to learn from You, by studying Your word and listening to others teach it. I ask today that You open my eyes. Open my eyes to the Holy Spirit. Soften my heart as You did Pharaoh. Flow Your holy words through my mouth. Keep the devil out of my path to You, Lord. Allow me to spread the good word for You as Jesus’ disciples did for Him. Make me into Your holy servant. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Steve Harper, a contemporary retired minister and seminary professor. This is an excerpt from his book “Devotional Life in the Wesleyan Tradition.”  

We take a giant step forward in Christian devotion when we see it more as a life to be lived than as a time to be observed. Consequently, it is more appropriate to speak of a “devotional life” than a “devotional time.” When we study Wesley’s spirituality, we see this coming through loud and clear. He never divided his life into compartments. For him, the essence of life was spiritual. All of it could properly be called devotional.

PRAYER:

Written by John Wesley (1703-1791), an English cleric, theologian and evangelist who was a leader of a revival movement within the Church of England known as Methodism. This is known as the Methodist Covenant Prayer.

I am no longer my own, but Yours. Put me to what you will, rank me with whom you will; put me to doing, put me to suffering; let me be employed for you, or laid aside for you. Exalted for you, or brought low for you. Le me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things to your pleasure and disposal. And now, glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, You are mine and I am yours. So be it. And the covenant now made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Thomas Merton (1915-1968), an American Trappist monk, writer, theologian, mystic, poet, social activist and scholar of comparative religion. This is an excerpt from his book “Spiritual Direction and Meditation.”

Now the Fathers of the Church well understood the importance of certain “holy leisure” – otium sanctum. We cannot give ourselves to spiritual things if we are always swept off our feet by a multitude of external activities. Business is not the supreme virtue, and sanctity is not measured by the amount of work we accomplish. Perfection is found in the purity of our love for God, and this pure love is a delicate plant that grows best where there is plenty of time for it to mature.

PRAYER:

Written by Erasmus (1466-1536), a Dutch Renaissance classical scholar, humanist, priest, social critic, teacher and theologian.

Lord Jesus Christ,

you have said that you are the Way, the Truth and the Life.

Do not allow us to stray from you, who are the Way,

not to distrust you, who are the Truth,

nor to rest in anything other than you, who are the Life. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by James C. Fenhagen (1929-2012), an Episcopal rector, author, theological educator, seminary president, and lecturer. This is an excerpt from his book “Invitation to Holiness.”

The gift of holiness—which is in reality the gift of our full humanity—is received when we are able to see the world in a new way, when in faith we are able to discern and respond to God’s vision of the world through the eyes of Christ. This kind of seeing is the fruit of a contemplative vision—a vision that can only be nourished in solitude and in prayer. Prayer for the Christian, therefore, is not something added to our lives, something extra we do, but rather it is as fundamental to our lives as the act of breathing. It is through prayer that we are caught up in the rhythm and the energy of the Kingdom that is amongst us and learn to see in a new way.

PRAYER:

Written by Augustine of Hippo (354-430), an early Christian theologian and philosopher. He was the bishop of Hippo Regius (modern-day Annaba, Algeria) and is viewed as one of the most important church fathers in Western Christianity.

Almighty Father, come into our hearts, and so fill us with your love that forsaking all evil desires, we may embrace you our only good. Show us, O Lord our God, what you are to us. Say to our souls, I am your salvation, speak so that we may hear. Our hearts are before You; open our ears; let us hasten after your voice. Hide not your face from us, we beseech you, O  Lord. Open our hearts so that you may enter in. Repair the ruined mansions, that you may dwell therein. Hear us, O Heavenly Father, for the sake of your only son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever, Amen.

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