Most weeks as we settle into our prayerful listening, we begin with listening to a worship song. This week we soaked in the lyrics and melody of Sarah Kroger singing “Belovedness”.
In a room, gathered over Zoom, we savored our fresh experience of our own essential “belovedness”. Each one encountering this reality freshly. Pictures, metaphors, dreams, memories came as they do in listening prayer, unbidden and deeply personal. The Holy Spirit has this mysterious way of speaking to our hearts so uniquely and specifically. As we later listen and bear witness to each other’s encounter with some aspect of the Trinity, we are touched, deepened in our own knowing of the vastness of God’s love for us in our humiliations, frailty, and humanity.
We pray for you, those gathering from further away, joining us through a newsletter in prayer. We are grateful to be in praying community with you. May our Abba anchor us all more deeply as the beloved. We each are the beloved. And we are a part of the beloved community. May the love of Christ flow freely in and through us into our hurting world.
Philippians 3:17-4:1 NRSV
Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. Their end is destruction, their god is the belly, and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself.
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.
For Reflection and Prayer:
Was there a word, phrase or image which caught your attention you as you listened to or slowly read the text? Quietly reflect on this with Jesus.
Notice any felt sense that seems to emerge as you linger with this passage. It might come as a bodily feeling, emotion, metaphor, picture, gesture or sound. See if you can describe it and simply be with it with patient curiosity. Be open to whatever more might emerge.
Perhaps you might want to draw, color or journal your conversation.
As the time of prayer comes to a close, share some quiet moments with Jesus, simply resting safely in his presence.
Philippians 3:17-4:1 The Message
Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal. There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them. I’ve warned you of them many times; sadly, I’m having to do it again. All they want is easy street. They hate Christ’s Cross. But easy street is a dead-end street. Those who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they can think of is their appetites.
But there’s far more to life for us. We’re citizens of high heaven! We’re waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He’ll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him.
My dear, dear friends! I love you so much. I do want the very best for you. You make me feel such joy, fill me with such pride. Don’t waver. Stay on track, steady in God.
