Week One - Daily Schedule

Theme: Discovering God's dream for me.

Grace/Desire: That God will uncover my deepest yearnings and desires - as well as God's own deep longing for me.

Prayer Material for the Week

  1. John 4:1-14: Whoever comes to Jesus Christ never thirsts.
  2. John 10:1-21: Jesus is the Good Shepherd; He knows my name.
  3. Luke 5:27-32: Jesus comes to people like me.
  4. The Courage to Accept Acceptance
  5. Mark 12:1-12: Christ comes to my life world; do I receive him?
  6. Mark 9:14-29: I have faith; help my little faith.
  7. Matthew 14:13-21: Jesus heals and feeds all the hungry.

Background notes on Prayer

Prayer for the Week

Lord God, Your ever abiding love for us is reflected in all that surrounds us. Your care and concern for us is deeply personal. You sustain and guide us in even the smallest details of our lives. Your love is that of a mother and father for a child. Help us to surrender more fully to your love and rejoice in being your children.

Considerations on Prayer

Preparing for the period of prayer

  1. Open to the scripture passage for the day.
  2. Be aware that you are in the presence of the Living God, the One who beholds you with compassion and delight and who is relentless in seeking to bless you with all that is good.
  3. Ask for the Grace/Desire being sought this week: "I ask that God will uncover my deepest yearnings and desires - as well as God's own deep longing for me."
  4. Address this prayer of desire, first to God the Source of Life, then to God the Source of Wisdom and Goodness, then to God Creator and Comforter.

During the period of prayer

Now, read the scripture passage slowly, moving your lips or even reading softly out loud (to distinguish this from reading reports or newspapers).

Second, put the scripture aside and from memory write down words or phrases that stay with you. (If you can recall none, check the text or read it once again, then jot down what impresses you.)

Third, take each of the words or phrases you have jotted down and think about it. What does it mean? Who said it? What was the speaker feeling? To whom was the word or phrase addressed? While you are considering this way, you may think of God in the third person.

Fourth, Consciously gather up your thoughts and turn to God our Lord. Now think of God as "You." Tell God what you thought about, and feel in God's presence what you have felt. What would you give to God? What do you want of God?

Finally, conclude with a colloquy, extolling the goodness of God, pouring out your thoughts to God, and giving thanks to the Living Spirit that up to this very moment God has granted you life and beholds you with love.

Note on Prayer

  1. In general, you do not "finish" a passage. A passage is not an assignment; it is a place to find God. Sometimes, you will find almost no meaning in a passage; then, beg God for insight and a tender heart, and stay with the passage as long as you can.
  2. Any passage where you find tremendous meaning, and any passage where you find nothing but dust and boredom - you need to return to these until you know you have done with it. Then go on to another. Praying Scripture has nothing to do with "getting through" passages and books; it has everything to do with letting the meaning and the values of each single word sink into your life.