It is time.
It is time to put aside all things.
It is time to put aside all manner of doing.
It is time to be.
It is time to let go of all striving and working and struggling.
It is time to let go of all preconceptions of yourself and of God and just let you be you and let God be God.
Know that God longs for this time with you.
Know that the living God has been waiting for you.
The Holy Spirit will guard your heart,
Your soul and your mind.
Jesus Christ is ever present closer than your own breath.
You are embraced by love this very moment.
You can trust that love where it is the very presence of God dwelling within you and around you.
Now,
Sitting comfortably,
Yet attentive,
With your eyes closed,
Feet on the floor and hands resting on your lap,
Simply breathe.
Notice your breathing as you inhale and exhale.
Just follow your breath very gently and naturally.
Breathe in,
Breathe out.
As you exhale,
Let go of all tension.
Let go of all the stress that has settled in your muscles.
Notice your body.
With ease,
Observe yourself from the top of your head down through your body,
Relaxing all of your muscles.
As you do so,
Feel the warmth of your hands resting on your thighs.
Feel your feet resting on the floor.
Just let the chair support you.
Continue to breathe gently and effortlessly.
And when you are ready,
Silently introduce your sacred word.
Any thoughts will move past your mind.
Let them come and let them go.
Just like watching a movie,
One scene after the other.
When you notice you are involved in one of the scenes of the movie,
No longer in the audience watching.
In other words,
When you notice you are engaged with a thought,
Ever so gently,
Without struggle,
Return to your sacred word as a symbol of your consent to the presence and action of God within you.
If you are engaged by a sound or other sensation,
It's all okay.
Just observe it and gently return to your sacred word.
No need to struggle with a thought.
If you notice you become engaged in thought,
No need to judge yourself or try to analyze it.
Just remember,
The heart beats,
The lungs breathe,
And the mind thinks.
Be gentle with yourself and receive the love of Christ.
My Lord and my God,
I receive your grace to spend this time in your presence.
I come with gratitude and I am open and willing for you to transform me into the image of Jesus Christ.
For it is in the name of the Father of all creation and of Jesus Christ the living Son and of the Holy Spirit that I come to this time of prayer.
Amen.
Our Father,
Who is in heaven,
Whose presence is with us always,
And whose Spirit dwells within,
Hallowed be your name.
May your kingdom come and may your will be done.
In our lives and on earth,
Just as it is in heaven.
Thank you for giving us this day all that we need for sustenance,
For nourishment,
And growth.
Forgive us.
Forgive us when we turn away from your love and when we trespass against you and those you put in our lives.
Help us forgive those who turn away from us and who trespass against us.
Forgive us from yielding to temptation.
Direct us away from anything or anyone that would distract us from your will,
Your highest good for our lives.
For us and protect us from all that is evil.
For all glory and power is yours,
Almighty Father.
Just as it was in the beginning,
It is now and always shall be.
World without end.
Amen.
