Listen to a New Guided Meditation at soulspace.center

I’m so excited to announce my friends and fellow spiritual directors Janine Rohrer and David Buchs have launched our new website, Soul Space. At Soul Space, we create room for your soul to breathe. Our vision is to make space for busy people to find rest, nourishment, and inspiration for their souls. We offer guided meditations, spiritual direction, and retreats.

To go with the new website, we’ve posted a new guided meditation, set to David’s ambient music. Based on Psalm 25, it leads the listener to prayerfully reflect on trust, hope, and repentance and on God’s guidance, compassion, and love.

Listen to it now and let your soul find rest from a busy day! We’ll be releasing a new recording next week, too!

You can also find archived reflections on our Soul Space page at Soundcloud.

Find me on Instagram @ravishedbylight.

Contemplative Prayer on Matthew 8:5-13: Authority and Faith

This prayer is based on the story of the Roman officer who asked Jesus to heal his servant. It’s a meditation on the authority given to each of us by God and how we are invited to wield it on his behalf. It also asks us to consider how God has stretched our faith in the past and how he might be doing so in the present. The prayer time begins with a breathing exercise called box breathing, which can be used by someone who is in a state of stress or agitation to attain focus and calm. If you are planning to lead this prayer, leave plenty of space for reflection in between the questions.

Find a comfortable position and close your eyes. Breathe in through your nose slowly, counting to four as you inhale. Hold for four counts, then breathe out for four counts. Repeat: inhale, 2-3-4, hold, 2-3-4, release 2-3-4. Inhale, 2-3-4, hold, 2-3-4, release, 2-3-4.

How do you come to prayer today? What is the state of your mind? Your body? Your heart? What hopes and fears, worries and joys do you bring to Jesus today? 

For today’s prayer time, I will guide you through an imaginative prayer on Matthew 8:5-13. This is the story of a Roman officer who asked Jesus to heal his servant from a terrible illness. 

As you listen to the story, pay notice what most catches your attention and sparks your imagination. 

Jesus, I pray that you would guide this time of contemplation and prayer. Enliven our senses and our imaginations to perceive you. Enfold us with your love. 

Matthew 8:5-13

When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer[b] came and pleaded with him, 6 “Lord, my young servant[c] lies in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain.”

7 Jesus said, “I will come and heal him.”

8 But the officer said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. 9 I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.”

10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, he said, “I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel! 11 And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world—from east and west—and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven. 12 But many Israelites—those for whom the Kingdom was prepared—will be thrown into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

13 Then Jesus said to the Roman officer, “Go back home. Because you believed, it has happened.” And the young servant was healed that same hour.

What are your immediate responses to this passage? What stands out to you? With whom do you most identify? With the officer? With the servant? Or with Jesus? At what point of the story did your strongest emotions emerge?

I will read the passage again. This time, use your imagination to place yourself in the scene. You may imagine yourself as someone in the story or perhaps as an observer or an object. Use your senses and emotions to fill in the story – see the light glinting off the solder’s armor and hear Jesus’ voice as he expresses compassion or surprise. Smell the dust in the air and feel the heat of the sun on your skin. Or perhaps feel the pain and fear of the sick servant. 

The story in your imagination does not need to unfold in the same way as the passage, nor does it need to stop when the passage does. Allow God to guide your imagination as he will.

When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer[b] came and pleaded with him, 6 “Lord, my young servant[c] lies in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain.”

7 Jesus said, “I will come and heal him.”

8 But the officer said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. 9 I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.”

10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, he said, “I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel! 11 And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world—from east and west—and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven. 12 But many Israelites—those for whom the Kingdom was prepared—will be thrown into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

13 Then Jesus said to the Roman officer, “Go back home. Because you believed, it has happened.” And the young servant was healed that same hour.

How did the story unfold for you? What did you notice? What did you feel in your emotions or in your body? 

What did you sense the Lord communicating to you through your imagination? What would you like to say to him in return?

Two themes that come up in this story are authority and faith. Like the Roman soldier, there are places in your life where you are under authority and places where you have authority. 

First and foremost, you are under the authority of God. What does that mean to you? How do you feel about being under God’s authority?  Are there any places you are trying to retain authority over your own life? What would it look like to surrender those areas to God?

You also have God-given authority through Jesus and the Holy Spirit: authority to pray and work for God’s purposes, to ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance and help, and to help others experience the power and love of God. How do you feel about having this kind of authority? Are there any kinds of authority that God seems to have especially gifted you with – for example, the authority to heal or teach or pray, to free people from the influence of evil spirits, to prophesy, or to help others know Jesus? 

Is there any kind of spiritual authority you would like to ask for? If you feel comfortable doing so, ask Jesus for it now. 

In the human realm, you may also have authority: for example, over your family our household, or over people who work for you. You may have authority that comes from your job title, your education, or your experience. Based on your ethnicity and gender or other characteristics, you may have or lack certain kinds of cultural or social authority. 

What kinds of authority to do you have? In other words, in what areas of life do you have the power to make something happen? In this past week, how have you used your authority?

What kinds of authority might you lack?  

Are there any ways that God is inviting you to change how you wield your power? How might you be called to use or expand your authority? What kinds of power might you be invited to give up?

Turning to the question of faith, what are some ways you have exercised faith in the past? How did it feel to have your faith stretched? What was the result?

Where is your faith being challenged right now? Where in your life is God saying, “Go,” “Come,” or “Do this?” How would you like God to meet you in this challenge of faith? 

In the week to come, what is one way you can exercise your faith?  And what is one way you can use your authority, either in the human or spiritual realm, on behalf of God and God’s purposes?

Move now to a time of silence. For a moment, sit face to face with Jesus. Imagine his loving, accepting gaze on you. Take in the expression of his face, the posture of his body. Feel his heart. What would you like to take away from your time with him?

Jesus, I thank you that you have all authority in heaven and on earth. I thank you that you always use your power to help, heal, and save, never to harm. Help us to step into the authority you have given us, whether spiritual or in the human realm, so that we may participate in your Kingdom mission. And help us to dismantle systems of false authority that lead to oppression and suffering. Help us to use our power as Jesus did, on behalf of others.

Thank you for joining this time of prayer. As you go from here, may the Holy Spirit bring you the imagination, authority, and faith to see what God is doing and join in. Amen.

Photo credit: pixabay

Find me on Instagram: @ravishedbylight

Find guided contemplative prayers set to original ambient music at soulspace.center.

Contemplative Prayer on 1 Corinthians 1:18, 24-28

Start by finding a comfortable position. Close your eyes. Take deep, slow, even breaths. Use your breaths to ground yourself in the present moment. Take this opportunity to be kind to yourself. Wrap your arms around yourself and give yourself a hug. This is something you can do when you feel stressed or anxious – it actually releases chemicals in your brain that will help you feel more relaxed and cared for. As you hug yourself – make sure it’s a good squeeze! – imagine God smiling down on you with compassion and love.

In our prayer time, you will have an opportunity to consider your weaknesses – your character flaws, the places where you lack power, strength, wealth, or the ability to succeed as you might wish – in the light of God’s love and grace.  You will have the chance to ask how God sees your weaknesses . . . and how he might be using them for his Kingdom. 

1 Corinthians 1: 18, 24-28 says that:

18 The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! 

24 But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles,[f] Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.

26 Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy[g] when God called you. 27 Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. 28 God chose things despised by the world,[h] things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important.

In this passage, the Apostle Paul calls our attention to the difference between what God considers valuable and what the world considers valuable. Paul invites us to reflect on God’s foolishness in choosing Jesus as the instrument of our salvation. Jesus came in a frail, human body that was easily broken and killed, yet God transformed that weakness into a resurrection power that changed the world. This passage also invites us to reflect on our own weaknesses and how God might use those more powerfully than our strengths.

Jesus, I pray you will send your Holy Spirit to guide this time. As we reflect prayerfully on our weaknesses, I ask that you would keep away any shame or discouragement. Help us to look with compassion on ourselves, trusting that you work in and through all things, even those things we may struggle with in ourselves.

I will read the passage again. As you listen, ask the Lord to guide your thoughts and emotions. 

18 The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! 

24 But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles,[f] Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.

26 Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy[g] when God called you. 27 Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. 28 God chose things despised by the world,[h] things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important.

Ask God to bring to your mind something about yourself that you consider a weakness. It might be related to your body, mind, emotions. Or perhaps it has to do with a relationship or a desire or personality trait that seems to get in your way. If more than one weakness or flaw comes to mind, ask the Lord to help you focus on only what he would like to talk to you about today.

When you’ve settled on a particular weakness, sit with it for a moment. What effect has this particular weakness has had on your life or the life of those around you? What memories and emotions come to your mind regarding this weakness?

How do you believe it has held you back? How do you believe things might be different if you didn’t have this weakness? 

Now, begin to look at your weakness in the light of God’s love for you as his child. Psalm 139 says that God knew you before you were born, that he knit you together in your mother’s womb. 

Imagine that you are there, with God, watching yourself being formed. Imagine your heart beginning to beat, your organs beginning to form, your fingers and toes beginning to move. Picture God bending down to breathe life into your lungs.

What does God see and know about you, as he is there with you before your birth? What do you see and know about yourself, as you bear witness with God to your creation? 

Enter into conversation with God. What does he say about who you are now? What does he say about your weakness? What would you like to say back to God? Are there any questions you would like to ask him? How does he answer you?

As you look back on your life, can you see any ways that God has your weakness or used it for good?  For example, a person with a quick temper may turn their anger and passion towards working for justice. Or a person too shy to pray out loud may turn out to be a powerful intercessor in the privacy of their own home. In your life, how has God what seems like a flaw into a strength?

How might your weakness reveal more about the work God has designed you to do? How might God be inviting you to act on his behalf in the world? Imagine yourself giving your weakness to God and asking him to use it as he sees fit. How does it feel to do this? How does God respond?

Turn your attention to the week ahead. Are there any specific ways God is inviting you to let him use your weakness to bring a positive change in someone’s life? If you feel led to do so, commit to taking those actions. 

This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.

Jesus, thank you that in you, we can see the weakness and foolishness of God in all its beauty and power. Thank you that in you, no part of us is despised or wasted, but can all be used for your glory and for the healing of the world.

As you go from this time of prayer, may you be blessed knowing that God has created and chosen you for a purpose. May Jesus go with you and the Holy Spirit empower you as you live out that purpose in the week ahead. Amen.

Photo credit: Photo by Frank Cone from Pexels

Find me on Instagram @ravishedbylight.