Pathways Press.com

ASH WEDNESDAY MEDITATION:

Written by Reggie Kidd, a contemporary pastor, professor, and author. This is an excerpt from the book “Exile and Return.”

The Bible’s most consistent through-theme is that of “exile and return.” There’s the loss of Eden by our original parents, and our return to Paradise on that future day when earth and heaven will be made new. There’s Israel’s succumbing to slavery in Egypt at the end of the patriarchal age, and their exodus under Moses to freedom in the Promised Land. There’s Israel’s exile in Assyria and Judah’s exile in Babylon at the end of the divided monarchy, and Isaiah’s promised new exodus back to the Promised Land under Ezra and Nehemiah. Every story, every novel, every movie that tells of a quest to return home is a retelling of this motif, from Odysseus in the Odyssey to Shadow, Chance, and Sassy in Homeward Bound. Our waywardness separates us from the God who, in his love, made us for himself. God’s persistent love, tireless faithfulness, and non-negotiable holiness work to win us back—over and over and over again, until his love, faithfulness, and holiness yield a renewed planet and restored fellowship between our Creator and us. “Exile and return” is our story. 

PRAYER:

Written by St. Patrick (385-461), a Christian missionary and bishop who served in Ireland. This is known as the “breastplate prayer.”

I bind unto myself today. The strong name of the Trinity, by invocation of the same, the Three in One and One in Three. I bind this day to me forever, by power of faith, Christ’s Incarnation; His baptism in the Jordan River; His death on cross for my salvation; His bursting from the spiced tomb; His riding up the heavenly way; His coming at the day of doom; I bind unto myself today. I bind unto myself the power of the great love of the Cherubim; The sweet ‘Well done’ in judgment hour; The service of the Seraphim, Confessors’ faith, Apostles’ word, the Patriarchs’ prayers, the Prophets’ scrolls, all good deeds done unto the Lord, and purity of virgin souls. I bind unto myself today. The virtues of the starlit heaven, the glorious sun’s life-giving ray, the whiteness of the moon at even, the flashing of the lightning free, the whirling wind’s tempestuous shocks, the stable earth, the deep salt sea, around the old eternal rocks. I bind unto myself today. The power of God to hold and lead, His eye to watch, His might to stay, His ear to hearken to my need. The wisdom of my God to teach, His hand to guide, his shield to ward, the word of God to give me speech, His heavenly host to be my guard. Against the demon snares of sin, the vice that gives temptation force, the natural lusts that war within, the hostile men that mar my course; or few or many, far or nigh, in every place and in all hours against their fierce hostility, I bind to me these holy powers. Against all Satan’s spells and wiles, against false words of heresy, against the knowledge that defiles, against the heart’s idolatry, against the wizard’s evil craft, against the death-wound and the burning the choking wave and the poisoned shaft, protect me, Christ, till thy returning. Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger. I bind unto myself the name, the strong name of the Trinity, by invocation of the same. the Three in One, and One in Three, of whom all nature hath creation, Eternal Father, Spirit, Word: Praise to the Lord of my salvation, salvation is of Christ the Lord. Amen.

MEDITATION:

Written by Richard J. Foster, a contemporary theologian, speaker, and author in the Quaker tradition. This is an excerpt from his book “Learning Humility.”

Tomorrow is the beginning of that season in the Christian calendar known as Lent…the forty days of preparation for the central event of our faith—the resurrection of Jesus, the Christ. I’ve tended to have a rather dim view of the contemporary practices surrounding Lent. Often these practices are embarrassingly trivial…perhaps fasting from coffee or chocolate or other equally trite things. And for me the liturgical traditions that have grown up around Lent seem to be little more than efforts at “organized gloom,” with no genuine rationale for the gloom. I’m often sorely tempted to tell earnest folk that for Lent I plan to fast from prayer. (And I confess that now and again I have yielded to this temptation.) However, this season I am drawn to a particular practice found in the Eastern Orthodox Church, a practice that seeks to nurture an interior posture of “humility and repentance” for the Lenten season. (It was the characterization of humility and repentance that caught my attention.) Three weeks before Lent begins the Eastern Church observes “the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee.” This, of course, is drawn from Jesus’ well-known parable recorded in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 18:9-14). Luke observes that this parable is specifically directed to those “who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt” (v 9). Wow, is this ever an indictment of today’s modern state of affairs…trusting in ourselves that we are righteous and regarding others with contempt. This is the very spirit that saturates the internet and floods talk radio and blogs without number. In the parable the “prayer” of the Pharisee is far less a prayer than a self-righteous rant: “God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income” (v 11-12). Then the contrast of the publican (a tax collector) could not be more striking. He stands far off, keeps his head down, beats his chest, and cries out, “God be merciful to me, a sinner!” (v 13). If we are searching for a model of profound humility this is it. This Lenten emphasis on “humility and repentance” keying off of Jesus’ parable of the publican and the Pharisee feels worth exploring. So, I will give some thought to a fitting subject for a Lenten experience of humility and repentance.

PRAYER:

Written by Billy Graham (1918-2018) American Christian evangelist.

Our Father and Our God, we praise you for Your goodness to our nation, giving us blessings far beyond what we deserve. Yet we know all is not right with America. We deeply need a moral and spiritual renewal to help us meet the many problems we face. Convict us of sin. Help us to turn to You in repentance and faith. Set our feet on the path of Your righteousness and peace. We pray today for our nation’s leaders. Give them the wisdom to know what is right, and the courage to do it. You have said, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” May this be a new era for America, as we humble ourselves and acknowledge You alone as our Savior and Lord. This we pray in your holy name. Amen.

MEDITATION:

Written by Dallas Willard (1935-2013), an American philosopher, theologian, and author. This is an excerpt from his book “Renovation of the Heart.”

When God stands before us, we stand before him. Refusing to worship him is a way of trying to avoid his face and his eyes. Two-and-a-half-year-old Larissa was enjoying water in the back yard with “Nana.” Nana gently counseled her to water the purple flowers, but she had just discovered mud by pouring water on a small patch of dirt. Nana told her not to put water on the dirt because it makes mud and mud will “get everything dirty.” Well, mud it was anyway, and the little girl even put the mud into a small tub of water nearby, calling it then “warm chocolate.” Nana, who had been reading facing away from the action, soon discovered and cleaned up what to her was a mess, and then returned to her reading, but now seated so as to be facing Larissa. But the little girl soon resumed her “warm chocolate” routine, saying sweetly, “Don’t look at me, Nana. Okay?” Nana of course agreed and looked down at her reading. Then Larissa would make black mud and put some of it in the tub. And then some more. Three times she said, as she continued her work, “Don’t look at me Nana. Okay?” The tender soul of a little child shows us how necessary it is to us that we be unobserved in our wrong. The adult soul carries the same burden—but now so great as to be crushed by it. And when the face of God will no longer be avoidable, that soul will cry out in agony. The so called “right to privacy” of which so much is made in contemporary life is in very large measure merely a way of avoiding scrutiny in our wrongdoing.

PRAYER:

Written by Austin D. Hill, a contemporary pastor.

Almighty God, we cannot escape your presence. Even in our darkest moments, you are there. When we celebrate, you are there. When we doubt your presence, you still are there. Please forgive us for the times we try to flee from you. Confident of your presence among us today, we come to you in silent confession. 

MEDITATION:

Written by Richard Foster, a contemporary Christian theologian and author.  This is an excerpt from his book “Learning Humility.”

I am taken by the Lakota sense of beauty. It focuses quite naturally on aspects of beauty in nature. Kent Nerburn, editor of “The Wisdom of the Native Americans,” is an internationally recognized artist and so he is especially sensitive to the Native American expressions of beauty in nature. He observes their keen attention to the natural beauty of the earth. “I have seen in our midsummer celebrations cool arbors built of fresh-cut branches for council and dance halls, while those who attended decked themselves with leafy boughs, carrying shields and fans of the same, and even making wreaths for their horses’ necks. But, strange to say, they seldom make free use of flowers. I once asked the reason for this.” “Why,” said one, “the flowers are for our souls to enjoy; not for our bodies to wear. Leave them alone and they will live out their lives and reproduce themselves as the Great Gardener intended. He planted them; we must not pluck them, for it would be selfish to do so.”

PRAYER:

Today’s prayer is a prayer of stewardship from the Anglican Church of Australia.

Creator God, you formed us from the dust of the earth, and reveal your fingerprints in all flesh. Teach us your deep wisdom in the order and beauty of all that you have made. When our care for your creation is found wanting, reprove and reform us, so that our footprints may be more gentle on the earth, tending and keeping it as your own handiwork, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

MEDITATION:

Written by Andrew Murray (1828-1917), a missionary leader and devotional writer.

There is no more wonderful image in nature of the glory of God than we find in the starry heavens. Telescopes have long discovered the wonders of God’s universe. By means of photography, new wonders of that glory have been revealed. A photographic plate fixed below the telescope will reveal millions of starts which otherwise could never have been seen by the eye. Man must step to one side and allow the glory of the heavens to reveal itself. The stars, at first wholly invisible, will leave their image on the plate. What a lesson for the soul that longs to see the glory of God in His Word. Let your heart be as a photographic plate that waits for God’s glory to be revealed. The plate must be prepared and clean; let your heart be prepared and purified by God’s Spirit…The plate must be immovable; let your heart be still before God in prayer. The plate must be exposed for several hours to receive the full impression of the farthest stars; let your heart take time in silent waiting upon God and He will reveal His glory. If you keep silent before God and give Him time, He will leave within you impressions that will be as the rays of His glory shining in you.

PRAYER:

Written by Crystal Ayres, a contemporary author.

Heavenly Father, thank you that your grace is beyond measure. Throughout eternity, you have been working for my good and the good of all your people. May I know your power and grace to overcome the obstacles in my life. May the things that stand in my way become examples of your limitless power. Clothe me with power as I live my life in your righteous name. May I prosper and bring you glory on the earth. May I be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.Heavenly Father, thank you that your grace is beyond measure. Throughout eternity, you have been working for my good and the good of all your people. May I know your power and grace to overcome the obstacles in my life. May the things that stand in my way become examples of your limitless power. Clothe me with power as I live my life in your righteous name. May I prosper and bring you glory on the earth. May I be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

MEDITATION:

Written by Hadewijech of Antwerp (13^th century), a Beguine who chose to lead a life of poverty and contemplation without taking vows as a nun.

Be on your guard and let nothing disturb your peace. Do good under all circumstances, but with no care for any profit, or any blessedness, or any damnation, or any salvation, or any martyrdom; but all you do or omit should be for the honor of love. If you have like this, you will soon rise up again. And let people take you for a fool; there is much truth in that. Be docile and prompt toward all who have need of you, and satisfy everyone as far as you can manage it without debasing yourself. Be joyful with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. Be good toward those who have need of you, devoted toward the sick, generous with the poor, and recollected in spirit beyond the reach of all creatures. And even if you do the best you can in all things, your human nature must often fall short; so entrust yourself to God’s goodness, for his goodness is greater than your failures. And always practice true virtues, with confidence, and be diligent and constant in always following unconditionally our Lord’s guiding and his dearest will wherever you can discern it, taking trouble and doing your utmost to examine your thoughts strictly, in order to know yourself in all things.

PRAYER:

Written by Teresa of Avila (1515-1582), a Spanish Carmelite nun, reformer, theologian and author.

Christ has no body but yours,

No hands, no feet on earth but yours,

Yours are the eyes with which he looks compassion on this world.

Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good.

Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.

Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are His body.

Christ has no body now but yours.

Yours are the eyes with which he looks compassion on this world.

Christ has no body now on earth but yours.

MEDITATION:

Written by Joyce Huggett (1937-2017), an author, speaker, and broadcaster. She is considered to be a modern pioneer in the area of contemplative spirituality.

“Meditation” and “contemplation” are often used interchangeably. This is understandable because certain similarities suggest that the two forms of prayer are synonymous. Like meditation, contemplation involves putting ourselves into the hands of God so that he can change and transform our attitudes, perceptions, and behavior. Like meditation, contemplation involves listening intently to the Word of God. And like meditation, contemplation requires stillness in order that we may open ourselves to God and his penetrating, powerful Word. But meditation and contemplation are also marked by certain differences so they should not be confused with each other. Thomas Merton summed it up when he said: “Contemplation is nothing else but the perfection of love.” Or, as others have defined it, contemplation is the prayer of loving regard, the prayer of loving attentiveness, the art of paying rapt and loving attention to God and his world. Contemplation is about growing in love. If we take the work of contemplation seriously, we cannot escape the theme of love—of God’s inexhaustible love for us, for people everywhere, for the whole creation…Contemplation is to know and love God perfectly in the depths of your being. Contemplation goes further and deeper than meditation. While the person meditation mutters and muses on God’s word, the contemplative pays silent attention to Jesus, the living Word—the one who is central to their prayer. Indeed, contemplation goes one step further. Contemplation goes beyond words and symbols and concepts to the reality words and concepts describe.

PRAYER:

Written by Shawn Kafader, a contemporary ordained nondenominational minister and counselor.

Lord, let me no longer be content to live at a distance from you. In your great grace kindle a desire in my heart to be more closely united to you. Fasten me to you with a loving leash of longing for a more perfect life. Amen.

MEDITATION:

Written by Joyce Huggett (1937-2017), an author, speaker, and broadcaster. She is considered to be a modern pioneer in the area of contemplative spirituality.

“Meditation” is another word…people often use about prayer. But Christian meditation must not be confused with yoga, Eastern meditation or transcendental meditation. For, unlike these disciplines, Christian meditation has nothing to do with emptying our minds. Christian meditation engages every part of us—our mind, our emotions, our imagination, our creativity, and supremely, our will. As Archbishop Anthony Bloom puts it, “Meditation is a piece of straight thinking under God’s guidance.” Yet it is not the same as an academic study of the Scriptures…Christian meditation involves not emptiness, but fullness. It means being attentive to God. The purpose of this attentiveness, this reflecting and pondering is, among other things, to see ourselves in the light of God’s revealed word—just as Jesus weighed each of Satan’s subtle temptations against the teaching of the Old Testament. We meditate to give God’s words the opportunity to penetrate, not just our minds, but our emotions—the places where we hurt—and our will—the place where we make choices and decisions. We meditate to encounter the Living Word, Jesus himself. We meditate so that every part of our being, our thoughts, our affections, and our ambitions, are turned to face and honor and glorify him. Yet another reason for learning to meditate is so that we become conversant with the will of God.

PRAYER:

Written by Erwin Lutzer, a contemporary pastor, theologian, broadcaster, and author. 

Father, give us the discipline to meditate in Your Word, “day and night.” Help us to take Your Word into our minds just as we take food into our bodies. Teach us to hide Your Word in our hearts that we might not sin against You. Help us to not succumb to the path of least resistance, but have the discipline we need to follow through with our good intentions. May we be motivated by our loving relationship with You. Amen.

MEDITATION:

Written by Katie Minter Jones, a contemporary author.

Sunrise at the beach is my favorite place to worship and fully experience Jesus; I’m overwhelmed by His presence there. His majesty is displayed in the splendor of the sunrise as the rays paint the sky with beautiful shades of color. The roar of the waves proclaims His might. The smell of the salt in the air, the feel of the soft sand beneath my feet, and the cool mist all refresh me. When Jesus was on earth, He must have loved the sea also. The Bible tells several stories where He’s on the sea or at the beach. Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee when He called two fisherman, Peter and Andrew, to be His disciples, making them fishers of men. In Matthew 8:24–27, Jesus was on the boat asleep when the disciples became afraid and woke him. A storm was threatening to sink the boat, and Jesus calmed the wind and the waves, unleashing His power on the sea. Jesus didn’t stop there . . . He walked on the water. And after Jesus was resurrected, He stood on the beach at dawn, but the disciples did not recognize Him. They had been out all night, fishing without a single catch. He told them to cast their nets to the right side of the boat, and their nets became full. A miracle on the beach! Time after time, Jesus uses the backdrop of the sea to reveal His love to humanity. The Bible describes His love for us as being deeper than the ocean. The beach proclaims His majesty, His presence, and the depth of His love. Let the vastness of the ocean and the beauty of His creation remind you again today that His love for you is fathomless.

PRAYER:

This prayer is from the “Carmina Gadelica” six volumes of prayers, hymns, blessings, songs, proverbs, and literary folkloric poems from the Gaelic-speaking regions of Scotland. 

God the Father, all-powerful, all loving,

Jesus, the Son of tears and sorrow,

With thy co-assistance, O Holy Spirit!

The Three-One, ever-living, ever-mighty, everlasting,

Who brought the Children of Israel through the Red Sea,

And Jonah to land from the belly of the great creature of the ocean,

Who brought Paul and his companions in the ship,

From the torment of the sea, from the sorrow of the waves,

From the great gale, from the heavy storm,

Protect us and shield and sanctify us,

Be seated, O king of the elements, at our helm,

And lead us in peace to the end of our journey. Amen.

MEDITATION:

Written by Ray Stedman (1917-1992), a pastor and author.

The great hindrance to having faith in God is pride, the pride that refuses to forgive. That is like a mountain that fills up your whole life. All you can see is that big mountain looming before you, and it is blocking the life of God in your life. You have the power to have that removed if, when you stand and pray, you will forgive those who have offended you. Because the only thing that stops us from forgiving one another is pride. We feel justified in wanting others to forgive us but also in feeling that we have to exact a price for the hurt they have caused us. So, in many ways—subtle, or direct and open—we insist that we will not forgive, that our offenders have to pay for what they have done to us. Somehow, we are going to make them crawl, make them beg or plead for forgiveness. And that, Jesus says, is a great mountain that needs to be removed, for it is blocking the flow of the life of God to your faith.

PRAYER:

Written by Cheryce Rampersad, a contemporary Christian author. 

Father, bless me with the wonderful power of forgiveness, give me the grace to unconditionally forgive those who have done me wrong. Fill my heart with love toward my fellowman. Let kindness be my first nature. Let peace consume my thoughts and tranquility overtake my soul.  Free me of all anger, bitterness, hate, and unforgiveness. Amen.