Entering the time of prayer:
First, I find a quiet corner to begin this time with God. I close my eyes and allow myself to feel God’s loving gaze, to feel God’s delight that we are about to spend this precious time together. I allow myself time to absorb this truth. I let myself be held in the warmth of God’s loving embrace.
I take a deep breath and then, bit by bit, breath by breath, I let go of all the busyness, let go of whatever has been on my mind in the hustle and bustle of my day. This is a time for God; everything else can wait. I breathe again and open myself more and more to that place of stillness within me. I feel God’s loving presence that is always there. I let it fill me as I open my heart and my mind to this time of prayer.
First thoughts:
The Eternal One is our guiding light and our destination. I know I can always turn to God. God hears us and is always drawing us out of the places of darkness in our lives. Can I, in turn, open myself to God’s call in the midst of the many other influences in my life? Do I dare entrust myself to God’s voice?
Today’s Bible text: Matthew 4:8-10
Again, the devil took Jesus to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the earth in all their splendour. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Get away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”
I read the scripture passage slowly, I repeat it again and let the words fill my heart. What is the word or image that touches me most? How does it make me feel?
Some questions for reflection:
Jesus is being tested. He could grasp for himself a world full of power and ‘success’ if he listens to the voice of temptation, to Satan, the Prince of Deception. But Jesus resists. He knows he is God’s beloved, just as we are, and he keeps faith in the promise of God.
- In what ways do I hear the voice of temptation in my life? In what ways have I come to realise that the promises of Satan are empty promises; that he can’t give me what I truly desire?
- Jesus knows that he is loved by his Father. He knows that he is heard, and does not need to grasp for what God freely gives. I spend a few moments reflecting on the unconditional love God has for me, too.
Bringing our time of prayer to an end:
I close this time of prayer by speaking openly and freely to God for a few moments about what I have experienced. I speak just as I would to my closest friend. And I listen also for the ways God might be speaking to me – in the images that stay in my mind, or the feelings I am having. Then, I bring our time together to a close with a small gesture of gratitude and love, perhaps by making a sign of the cross, bowing my head, or by saying an Our Father or Glory Be.
Noticing the fruits of the prayer:
After my prayer I look back for a moment. I ask myself, what was it like? What touched me the most? What was challenging or difficult? What gave me feelings of warmth or peace of strength? I write down some keywords to record and remember, so that the things that are most important are not lost. I hold on to one positive and life-giving word or image in particular and hold it close to my heart as I make my way, with God, through the rest of the day.
