Day 2: He Knows Our Frame
Morning prayer
Physically make fists with your hands, and ask God to show you what tensions you are holding as you begin your day. Talk to him about this tension.
Loosen your grip, open your hands, and turn your palms downward. As you do this, offer your concerns, frustrations, anger and resentment to God. Holding your palms down signifies your surrender; you cannot grab those things again.
Now, turn your hands upward and ask the Lord what he wants to fill them with today.
As you hold your hands up, pay attention to what your soul desires with God.
***
Midday reflection
Compassionate Father,
who knows our weaknesses and needs,
help us to see your love and compassion for us,
and give us grace to rest in your gentle care,
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who walked always in your love and in the grace of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Compassion for our weakness
Written by Jenny Walley
On Ash Wednesday, I found myself reflecting on the well-known scripture, “Remember that we are dust.” I have always thought of this phrase as a command to put me in my place… “remember that you came from nothing and will return to nothing.”
On this particular day, I read Psalm 103, one of the places where this phrase is found. I was surprised and deeply moved when I realized what this passage actually says:
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.
Psalm 103:13-14 NIV
How that changes the phrase!
Read Psalm 103. Notice what words and phrases about God stand out to you.
In what ways does your “dust-ness” need to rest in the grace and compassion of your heavenly Father today?
Take some time to write, draw, or otherwise capture what comes to mind as you ask this question.
Now take a few moments to do just that...to rest in what is true.
When we are weak, we are strong.
When our eyes closeon the world,
then somewhere within us the bush burns.
When we are poor and aware of the inadequacy of our table,
it is to that,uninvited, the guest comes
R. S. Thomas
***
An evening prayer of examen on the day
Each evening before going to bed, take some time to sit with God, reviewing the day and considering the following questions:
What has been good today?
Take some time to write down everything you are thankful for...the taste of your morning coffee, something that made you laugh, a conversation you had, something you read, anything. Thank God for these moments.
What has been hard?
When did you feel disconnected? What feelings came up that were uncomfortable? What unresolved thoughts do you have? What anxieties, fears or worries did you encounter? Speak these out to God, and listen for what he might say to you about them.
Ask God to show you how he was with you in the good and the hard today. Thank him for His presence and receive His grace.
What does it look like to trust him for tomorrow?