Contemplative Prayer (Fourth Week in Trinitytide 2016)

Contemplative Prayer Form Based on Psalm 32 

(Fourth Sunday of Trinitytide – Year C)  

Note: This is for individual or small group use. It is intended to be a form of contemplative “Lectio Divina” based on the scripture readings for the week and the themes of the liturgical season. Repetition, silence, and intercession are utilized to allow space for focus over a short or long period of time. It may be helpful to use your fingers to count the number of scripture phrases you utter during the times of repetition.

The Scripture prayer section is structured for easy use with Anglican Prayer Beads for those who might find a tactile expression to be helpful ( = Cross = Invitatory bead = Cruciform bead = Weeks bead).

Scripture Reading:

When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.” Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”

“Tell me, teacher,” he said.
“Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”
Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”
“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.


Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”
Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”


Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”


After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.

-John 7:36 – 8:3 (NIV)

Scripture Prayer:

Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. Come, let us adore him.

O God, grant that by your inspiration we may think those things that are right, and by your merciful guiding may do them.

Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.  -Ps. 32:2

Repeat Seven Times:

“…let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found.” Psalm 32:6a

I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin. -Psalm 32:5

Repeat Seven Times:

“You are my hiding place.” -Psalm 32:7a

”…a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.”                           -Galatians 2:16

Repeat Seven Times:

“…the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him.” – Psalm 32:10b

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. -Psalm 32:8

Repeat Seven Times:

“Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous.”                           –Psalm 32:11a

“For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” –Galatians 2:19-20

The Lord’s Prayer

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all evermore. Amen.

Silence

Intercessions

*Pause in between these sentences for silence or specific intersessions

Risen Christ, guide us by your Spirit: gather all the nations into your care.

Keep us steady in faith and set our hearts to desire your Kingdom…

Come, Holy Spirit, heal our wounded souls and misshaped desires…

Free us from anxiety and lead us to trust you…

Bend our rigidity, burn away our apathy….

Guide your Church in this place and around the world…

We pray for the leaders of the nations…

Father, support those who are going through trials…

For the oppressed and lonely…

For families and friends, for all who have asked for our prayers and who pray for us…

For our country, our region (village, town…), that the Christians there may be witnesses to your life and unity…

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.