This Week
Submitted Spirit
Longing to Know
Quiet Tension
Change
Weights and Wings
Rest In Stillness
Immanuel Conversation
If you feel that we live in a purely physical universe, you will view meditation as a good way to obtain a consistent alpha brain wave pattern. But if you believe that we live in a universe created by the infinite, personal God who delights in our communion with Him, you will see meditation as communication between the Lover and the one beloved.
— Richard Foster
Day One
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Submitted Spirit
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One-Minute Solitude Meditation
Find your comfort and gently close your eyes. Inhale deeply and exhale slowly. Set a timer for one minute to embrace this tranquil solitude, allowing yourself to reflect on the boundless goodness and love of the Father. Savor this cherished time for yourself!
Meditative Reading
It is sometimes necessary to compel our agitated and restless spirit into a state of submission to find stillness and peace. Guiding a troubled spirit to find tranquility is like teaching a wild horse to come to a calm halt. Just as the horse needs gentle but firm direction to understand the need for stillness, our restless souls benefit from the Father's guiding presence that encourages us to embrace peace.
Contemplative Adoration
Father, I desire with a longing heart to be still and know that you are my God. Show me how my heart metabolizes this truth. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Day Two
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Longing to Know
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One-Minute Solitude Meditation
Find your comfort and gently close your eyes. Inhale deeply and exhale slowly. Set a timer for one minute to embrace this tranquil solitude, allowing yourself to reflect on the boundless goodness and love of the Father. Savor this cherished time for yourself!
Meditative Reading
My greatest strength emerges when I find moments of stillness and tranquility. In those quiet times, I feel my mind and spirit regain their vitality. Yet, dear soul, I often wonder why you struggle to embrace this stillness. What holds you back from reconnecting with inner peace? Abba, why do I feel such a deep sense of restlessness? This constant unease makes me question what my soul needs to find peace. What practices or insights could help me cultivate a serene heart and mind?
Contemplative Adoration
Father, my questions long for answers so my soul can rest. Will you show me how to calm my soul? In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Day Three
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Quiet Tension
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One-Minute Solitude Meditation
Find your comfort and gently close your eyes. Inhale deeply and exhale slowly. Set a timer for one minute to embrace this tranquil solitude, allowing yourself to reflect on the boundless goodness and love of the Father. Savor this cherished time for yourself!
Meditative Reading
Quiet tension should not be mistaken for trust; rather, it often signifies underlying unexpressed anxiety. When anxiety consumes our bodies and minds, we are unable to truly abide in a close relationship with the Father. By His very nature, the Father starkly contrasts the feelings of anxiety and unease that can overwhelm us. 2 Corinthians 12:10 holds a profound truth: it is in our weakness that His strength is most evident. When we let go of our anxieties and acknowledge our need for His strength, we open ourselves to a deeper faith and trust in His guidance.
Contemplative Adoration
Father, Help! I am so weak! I am in desperate need of Your strength. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Day Four
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Change
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One-Minute Solitude Meditation
Find your comfort and gently close your eyes. Inhale deeply and exhale slowly. Set a timer for one minute to embrace this tranquil solitude, allowing yourself to reflect on the boundless goodness and love of the Father. Savor this cherished time for yourself!
Meditative Reading
Change can be a naturally stressful experience, often bringing about feelings of uncertainty and discomfort. We recognize that God usually transforms us to guide our personal growth, leading us toward becoming our best selves. However, when we find stillness—when we quiet our busy minds and open our hearts—we can genuinely sense His presence amid the chaos of transition and change. In these peaceful moments, we can feel Him gently lifting away our fears and anxieties, replacing them with a deep, abiding love. His perfect love can drive out all forms of worry, stress, and anxiety, giving us a sense of security and calm.
Contemplative Adoration
Father, I need to go to Your quiet brook of bliss where Your perfect love can saturate me. Please take me there. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Day Five
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Weights and Wings
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One-Minute Solitude Meditation
Find your comfort and gently close your eyes. Inhale deeply and exhale slowly. Set a timer for one minute to embrace this tranquil solitude, allowing yourself to reflect on the boundless goodness and love of the Father. Savor this cherished time for yourself!
Meditative Reading
Our Good Father blesses us with weights and wings, offering us incredible opportunities to build our spiritual strength through His boundless love and wisdom. The challenges we encounter are intentionally designed to foster our growth and resilience. Though trials may seem daunting at the moment, they are a powerful reminder of His deep love for us; He prepares us to face any adversity. By embracing these obstacles, we equip ourselves to soar above the struggles that lie ahead. Once we complete this transformative training, our wings will lift us to triumph! We can find solace in His embrace, knowing that every experience with Him enhances our strength and endurance.
Contemplative Adoration
Father, thank you for the weights that train us and the wings that allow us to soar. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Day Six: Rest in stillness today.
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Day Seven: Immanuel Conversation
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Immanuel Conversation is a practice for deepening your relationship with God by pausing to reflect and listen for His gentle voice. This dialogue with Immanuel (“God with us”) encourages honest self-exploration and spiritual connection.
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Follow these steps to open your heart to God’s voice:
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Pause and Breathe: Take several deep breaths to create calm and clarity.
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Express Gratitude: Share your thanks with God and invite His response.
Dear God, I am thankful for...
My beloved child, {pause and listen for God’s gentle reply}
Create a quiet space to listen to God.
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I see you. {Reflect on what God observes in your feelings and sensations.}
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I can hear you. {Notice the thoughts and feelings God hears within you.}
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You are valued and understood. {Acknowledge God’s care and imagine His comforting words.}
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I delight in you. {Consider the kindness and compassion God shares.}
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I can help you. {Ponder how God may support you now.}
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Review what you wrote. Pause and be still.
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​Close with a brief prayer of gratitude.
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Share your experience with someone you trust.