Message of 8-5-10
Published: Fri, 07/30/10
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
(Encouragements for prayer)
There is no true, deep conversion, no true, deep holiness, no
clothing with the Holy Spirit and with power, no abiding peace or
joy, without being daily alone with God. What an inestimable
privilege is the institution of daily secret prayer to begin every
morning. Let it be one thing that our hearts are set one.
- Andrew Murray
and:
It is impossible to live the life of a disciple without definite
times of secret prayer. You will find that the place to enter in is
in your business, as you walk along the streets, in the ordinary
ways of life, when no one dreams you are praying, and the reward
comes openly, a revival here, a blessing there.
- Oswald Chambers
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Jer 31:31-34; Ps. 51:12-13, 14-15, 18-19; Mt 16:13-23
R. (12a) Create a clean heart in me, O God.
A clean heart create for me, O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not out from your presence,
and your Holy Spirit take not from me.
Give me back the joy of your salvation,
and a willing spirit sustain in me.
I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners shall return to you.
For you are not pleased with sacrifices;
should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it.
My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;
a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
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SCRIPTURE MEDITATION
from "Praying the Daily Gospels," by Philip St. Romain:
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- Matthew 16: 13-23 (Jesus, Peter, and the Church)
Of the four evangelists, only Matthew speaks of Jesus founding the
Church. He also speaks of the privileged place of Peter as leader
of the Church--a responsibility so important that Peter's words
would become binding for the salvation of souls. When Peter tries
to sway Jesus from his destiny, Jesus rebukes him; as leader of the
Church, Peter must learn to submit his will to God's.
- Spend some time with the passage, "Who do you say that I am?"
Respond as honestly as you can.
- How do you feel about the manner in which Church authorities
exercise power? On what issues do you respect their leadership
most? Least?
- Pray that our Church leaders may exercise authority wisely.
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NOTES FROM A CLASSICAL WORK
- "Imitation of Christ," by Thomas A. Kempis
The Voice of Christ
MY CHILD, patience and humility in adversity are more pleasing
to Me
than much consolation and devotion when things are going well.
Why are you saddened by some little thing said against you? Even
if it
had been more you ought not to have been affected. But now let it
pass. It is not the first, nor is it anything new, and if you
live
long it will not be the last.
You are strong enough so long as you meet no opposition. You
give good
advice to others, and you know how to strengthen them with
words, but
when unexpected tribulation comes to your door, you fail both in
counsel and in strength. Consider your great weakness, then,
which you
experience so often in small matters. Yet when these and like
trials
happen, they happen for your good.
- chapter 57
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PRAYING WITH SCRIPTURE (Carmelite Method)
A. Introduction: settling in, relaxing in awareness of God's
presence.
B. Reading the text slowly, prayerfully.
C. Meditation: imaginative representation of the material;
reflection
on the meaning of the material and its application to one's life.
D. Affective prayer: conversation with God, attentive to sharing
feelings awakened in meditation. Prayer of petition, thanksgiving,
remorse.
E. Resting in God in silent loving awareness, if moved to do so.
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