Liturgy 001: Always God who has Taken the Initiative
Oikon + Wesley liturgies are designed to guide you through 10-15 minutes of being present to God, self, and others. They feature a single prayer, quote, scripture, reflection question, and benediction. These liturgies are best when gone through slowly and deliberately either alone, with a partner, or a small group.
🕊️ Centering Prayer
Take 5 deep and deliberate breaths.
With each breath, offer this prayer:
INHALE: Spirit of the Living God
EXHALE: You are closer than I know
🧘♀️ Quote for Reflection
In prayer, we take the inner journey to meet God,
but it is always God who has taken the initiative.
Thomas Keating
📖 Psalm 139:7-10
Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there
If I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn
If I settle on the far side of the sea
Even there your hand will guide me
Your right hand will hold me fast.
☕️ Reflection Question
A confrontation with a friend, a lazy Sunday morning, a family text message thread, a conference board meeting, a dirty diaper, a heartbreaking report of war in the Middle East…
Every small and large, insignificant and life-altering moment of our day is the arena of communion with God.
We exist in a world of future orientation and accomplishment. One day, in some distant time, things will be fixed and made well.
But in a life of congruence and worship, the goal is not to arrive at some future, but to arrive in the present reality of God’s nearness.
In Psalm 139, the songwriter enters God’s embrace and guidance in his present time.
As you take in another breath of awareness, how does God’s voice and loving embrace change the course of your day? How does the subtle notion that God has taken the initiative to be with us in prayer change our attempts at spiritual growth?
🤲 Benediction
May you discover what the saints of old found - enduring joy in all moments of life because they were with God, enveloped in love and courage.