This past Sunday we took in Bruxy’s second video teaching on prayer (originally posted in January 2018). Last week we focused on The Lord’s Prayer as a model for prayer today. This week we learned that we can pray with and through scripture. As we read and pray, it’s like God talks a little and then we talk a little, and back and forth. Quite amazing really.
For a short video recap, go here.
For the full video, go here.
Here are some brief notes…
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. ~ Yahweh to Joshua (Joshua 1:8)
(“meditate” = to mumble, mutter, or moan; to ruminate verbally.)
Two types of meditation…
KATAPHATIC (assertion; filling; focusing)
APOPHATIC (negation; emptying; releasing)
Today we are focusing on kataphatic meditation.
DINE IN: Where Scripture & Imagination Meet Psalm 77; Mark 4:35-41
GOSPEL SUGGESTIONS FOR MEDITATION & PRAYER…
1. Jesus calms the storm: Mark 4:35-41
2. Jesus’ love for sinners: Luke 7:36-50
3. Jesus’ and the woman at the well: John 4:1-42
4. Jesus welcoming Zacchaeus: Luke 19:1-10
5. Jesus’ Transfiguration: Matthew 17:1-13
6. Jesus washing feet: John 13:1-17
OTHER WAYS TO PRAY THROUGH SCRIPTURE…
Jesus/Bible movies
Audio Bible
Prayer journal.
TAKE OUT:
Praying In The Gospels This Week I will endeavour to pray every day this week…
WHAT: Praying through one of the listed gospel passages
WHEN: ___________________
WHERE: __________________
FOR: _________________ min.
– – – – – – – – – – – –
Small(er) Group Discussion
HANGOUT [Warming Up to the Topic]
1. What stood out to you the most from Sunday’s prayer workshop?
2. How have you been doing with daily prayer this week? Talk about your experiences.
HEAR [Listening to God through Scripture]
3. Read Psalm 77.
a. What verse or idea stands out to you the most? Why?
b. Asaph, the writer of this Psalm, comforted himself by thinking about God’s amazing deeds, not in his own lifetime, but in history centuries before. What stories about God do you draw comfort from?
c. The early Christian Church had no New Testament in print yet. Their only Bible to learn about Jesus was the Old Testament, the Hebrew Scriptures. For them, every passage was a pointer to Christ. Talk about the various ways Psalm 77 points to Jesus.
HUDDLE [Making It Personal and Praying Together]
4. PRAY! Take 10 minutes to pray through one of the gospel passages. (suggestion: Mark 4:35-41) Remember to pray quietly, but still out loud, or just in your mind. After a few minutes, come back together and talk about the strengths and weaknesses for you regarding this kind of praying.