Psalm 123 - To you I lift up my eyes

PSALM 123:1-4¹   To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens! ²   As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, until he has mercy upon us.³   Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us, for we have had more than enough of contempt. ⁴   Our soul has had more than its fill of the scorn of those who are at ease, of the contempt of the proud.

• Light a candle to remember Christ's presence with you.
• Spend five to fifteen minutes in silent meditation paying attention to the breath.
• Imagine yourself lifting up your eyes to see God in heaven.
• What curtains of contempt and scorn must be pushed aside for you to see God?
• Name these curtains as you push them aside.
• Continue naming the curtains and moving them until you can see God as fully as possible.
• Rest in the Lord.  Savor this time.
• What characteristics of God do you encounter this day?
• Allow these characteristics to fully embrace you as a gift from God.
• Rest in the Lord.  Savor this time.
• Is there a message for you from God?
• Is there a call to action?
• Give thanks to God for this time of prayer and presence.  Give thanks for any new insights you have received.
• Share as you feel led in the reply box below.

Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday, November 13, 2011,  the Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

Judges 4:1-7

Psalm 123

I Thessalonians: 5:1-11

Matthew 25:14-30

If you use these prayers in other groups, please give credit to author.

Permission to use in not-for-profit settings The Rev. Lil Smith, M.Div., DASD