Psalm 146: 4-7
When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;
on that very day their plans come to nothing.
Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God.
He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—
he remains faithful forever.
He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets prisoners free,
Today’s Reflective Questions
- When have you desperately waited for something?
- What characteristics of God do you rely on the most this week?
- How are you listening to God and others this week?
This Week’s Lenten Focus: Listening
This Lenten season, Bishop David Wilson, along with some conference staff and members of the laity, are inviting the people of the Great Plains Conference and beyond to “Pay Attention to God’s Voice” during this season of Lent. The theme for this week is Listening.
This week take moments to actively listen to God through Scripture, others, and the world around you. Begin each day with a listening posture with a deep desire to hear people. Be especially attentive to the ways you can listen to others with depth and seeing the Holy Spirit in each person. Listen more than you talk this week.
Hear how God is speaking to you in this week. Listen to your body and soul this week. In a world of pain, grief, and heartache, listen to God’s comfort and care. Be present to yourself and then to others.
Hear God’s words through the Scriptures. The psalms are the songs, prayers, and hymnbook, naming how people have listened to God for thousands of years. The poet calls out to God remind us of who God is. We join with millions of people of faith throughout the centuries, repeating these words and listening to God’s guidance each day.
Rev. Jee Sook Gil
jgil@greatplainsumc.org
and
Rev. Nicole Conard
nconard@greatplainsumc.org
Invitation to Go Deeper
Today pray like a psalmist who cries out for God and longs for God’s forgiveness. God listens to our problems and worries. Take time now to sit in silence. If you like, set a time between 2 minutes, 5 minutes, 20 minutes or more to be in silence. Listen, wait for God’s response in your quiet place.
Prayer for Reflection
O Lord, when our spirit departs, we return to the ground. Our hope is in you, Lord our God. You are the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—you remain faithful forever. You uphold the cause of the oppressed and give food to the hungry. You, O Lord set prisoners free. We pause in silence, listening to what you want to say to us to join your work in the world. Amen.
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