PREPARATION: 

IMPORTANT: Try to make sure you have at least 30 minutes of uninterrupted time for this practice. Be realistic and honest about how much space and stamina you have for the quiet components. Some of us will welcome stillness and silence, but most of us will likely struggle to get through even 3-5 minutes of silence—and that is okay! Arrange whatever time you think is reasonable (suggested times are provided), and set a timer; it helps. Get into a comfortable position but not too comfortable, so you don’t fall asleep.     


PRACTICE:

READ & LISTEN

Read THIS WEEK’S PSALM slowly. Here is the schedule:

Week of Wed., February 14th | Psalm 6

Week of Wed., February 21st      | Psalm 32

Week of Wed., February 28th   | Psalm 38

Week of Wed., March 6th | Psalm 51

Week of Wed., March 13th     | Psalm 102

Week of Wed., March 20th       | Psalm 130

Week of Wed., March 27th        | Psalm 143

 

Now that you are familiar with the words, close your eyes and take three deep breaths.

As you breathe in, pray, “Holy Spirit…

and as you breathe out, pray, “…Give me ears to hear.”

Ask God to give you an openness to hear whatever the Spirit wishes to bring to you today. If (when!) your thoughts wander in the stillness, breathe the centering prayer to quiet your mind. Focus on your breaths as you envision breathing in God’s presence.  

Now, reread the psalm slowly, immersing yourself in the psalm’s movement through confession of truth, pain, sorrow, hope, longing, etc. As you read,

  • Listen for a word or phrase, or detail that stands out to you. Please don’t choose this yourself; let the Spirit bring it to your mind. Even if you don’t like it, try to welcome it with humility (it’s vital!) and see what happens.

Give yourself 3-5 minutes to listen quietly.


REFLECT

Reread the psalm slowly. As you reflect on the psalm, consider the following:

  • The word or phrase, or detail that stood out to you. Why do you think these words resonated with you?

  • Any emotions, people, or situations that come to mind when considering the word, phrase, or detail that the Spirit drew out for you. Simply make a note of these.

Give yourself 3-5 minutes to ponder all this. Then, ask God, “How does this connect with my life today? What do I need to know or be or do?”

 

RESPOND

Read the psalm one last time, preparing yourself for what you want to say to God about what you think the Spirit might have spoken to you or what came to you as you moved into the emotions and realities of the psalm.

Pray whatever you need to pray. You might thank God for something or confess to God something or ask God for something.

Give yourself 2-3 minutes to respond.


REST

Do as you are led for the last 5 minutes. You may wish to wait quietly on God—to simply be with Jesus in whatever you are feeling or thinking. You may want to pay attention to God, pondering: what God does in this psalm and what we do, or what about God makes you marvel, or least be open to him, in need of him? Sit in the companionship of God—the one who listens even to the rebellious, and acts, even for the broken.