This week we are asked to journal about various parts of the Prayer of Examen. The Examen suggested has 4 parts:
Praying for Light
Looking back in thankfulness
Praying into the heart of the day
Letting go and holding on
For this post I will focus on “looking back in thankfulness.” Our journal prompts say that we should try to list the first 5 things that come to our mind that we are thankful for and to write about them a bit. Here we go.
1. God, my redeemer
I am always amazed by prayers of Native elders. They express thankfulness to Jesus like no one else. In the past few Wednesday prayer meetings and in this past Monday in giving communion to shut-ins, I have heard many elders pray, and a common phrase repeated throughout virtually every prayer is, “Quyana, Jesus, you are so good.” One elder in particular may say this phrase 20 times in one prayer. How often do we glance over God’s redeeming power with a quick word of thanks? I am challenged to really meditate on how Good God is to us and how we should thank him with every breath. Christ has saved me from my sins, and God continues to sustain me and redeem Creation around me.
2. My family
My family is wonderful. I love waking up every morning and knowing that I love my family and they love me. Not only do I have a wonderful wife and two cute kids, but the rest of my family is also very supportive of me and I look forward to seeing many of them this summer!
3. Pastor Joel
I have been very thankful that Pastor Joel has been willing to mentor me and to invite me to see how he pastors the church here. I look forward to how God will teach us both and how Joel will teach me.
4. The Church
The Church sure is awesome. I love to see the Body of Christ working the way that it should be; taking care of those within the Body and reaching out to those who have yet to join. We have experienced the Body taking care of us many times in many ways. Sure, we are all broken people, but when we come together under Jesus, a united Church is a force to be reckoned with.
5. Friends
I am particularly thankful for our friends Nick and Nikki today as they called us last night to tell us they are engaged. We are very happy for them and look forward to celebrating the marriage with them. God has big plans for them and will use them in a mighty way. Friends like them help make life exciting.
Praying for Light
Looking back in thankfulness
Praying into the heart of the day
Letting go and holding on
For this post I will focus on “looking back in thankfulness.” Our journal prompts say that we should try to list the first 5 things that come to our mind that we are thankful for and to write about them a bit. Here we go.
1. God, my redeemer
I am always amazed by prayers of Native elders. They express thankfulness to Jesus like no one else. In the past few Wednesday prayer meetings and in this past Monday in giving communion to shut-ins, I have heard many elders pray, and a common phrase repeated throughout virtually every prayer is, “Quyana, Jesus, you are so good.” One elder in particular may say this phrase 20 times in one prayer. How often do we glance over God’s redeeming power with a quick word of thanks? I am challenged to really meditate on how Good God is to us and how we should thank him with every breath. Christ has saved me from my sins, and God continues to sustain me and redeem Creation around me.
2. My family
My family is wonderful. I love waking up every morning and knowing that I love my family and they love me. Not only do I have a wonderful wife and two cute kids, but the rest of my family is also very supportive of me and I look forward to seeing many of them this summer!
3. Pastor Joel
I have been very thankful that Pastor Joel has been willing to mentor me and to invite me to see how he pastors the church here. I look forward to how God will teach us both and how Joel will teach me.
4. The Church
The Church sure is awesome. I love to see the Body of Christ working the way that it should be; taking care of those within the Body and reaching out to those who have yet to join. We have experienced the Body taking care of us many times in many ways. Sure, we are all broken people, but when we come together under Jesus, a united Church is a force to be reckoned with.
5. Friends
I am particularly thankful for our friends Nick and Nikki today as they called us last night to tell us they are engaged. We are very happy for them and look forward to celebrating the marriage with them. God has big plans for them and will use them in a mighty way. Friends like them help make life exciting.
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