Psalm 30 - Joy comes with the morning

PSALM 30:1-12¹   I will extol you, O LORD, for you have drawn me up, and did not let my foes rejoice over me. ²   O LORD my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me. ³   O LORD, you brought up my soul from Sheol, restored me to life from among those gone down to the Pit.⁴   Sing praises to the LORD, O you his faithful ones, and give thanks to his holy name. ⁵   For his anger is but for a moment; his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning.⁶   As for me, I said in my prosperity, “I shall never be moved.” ⁷   By your favor, O LORD, you had established me as a strong mountain; you hid your face; I was dismayed.⁸   To you, O LORD, I cried, and to the LORD I made supplication: ⁹   “What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the Pit? will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness? ¹⁰  Hear, O LORD, and be gracious to me! O LORD, be my helper!”¹¹  You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, ¹²  so that my soul may praise you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever.

• Light a candle to remember Christ's presence with you.
• Sit five to fifteen minutes in silent meditation paying attention to the deep breath.
• Identify a part of you that is hidden from God.
• Breathe into this place that is hidden.
• Be gentle with yourself.
• God is not hiding God's face from you.
• Turn toward God and reveal this place that is hidden.
• Allow God to remove the sackcloth.
• Be filled with the joy of God who loves us completely just as we are.
• Allow this joy to bathe the place that has been hidden.
• Praise God from this new place and be released from silence.
• Listen from this place to hear God's love for you.
• Give thanks to God for wholeness in love and for any new insights you have received.
• Share as you feel led in the reply box below.

Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday, February 12, 2012, the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B 2 Kings 5:1-14Psalm 30:1-121 Corinthians 9:24-27Mark 1:40-45If 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