Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24 - You hem me in

Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24

¹   O LORD, you have searched me and known me.²   You know when I sit down and when I rise up;you discern my thoughts from far away.³   You search out my path and my lying down,and are acquainted with all my ways.⁴   Even before a word is on my tongue,O LORD, you know it completely.⁵   You hem me in, behind and before,and lay your hand upon me.⁶   Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;it is so high that I cannot attain it.⁷   Where can I go from your spirit?Or where can I flee from your presence?⁸   If I ascend to heaven, you are there;if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there.⁹   If I take the wings of the morningand settle at the farthest limits of the sea,¹⁰  even there your hand shall lead me,and your right hand shall hold me fast.¹¹  If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,and the light around me become night,”¹²  even the darkness is not dark to you;the night is as bright as the day,for darkness is as light to you.²³  Search me, O God, and know my heart;test me and know my thoughts.²⁴  See if there is any wicked way in me,and lead me in the way everlasting.

• Light a candle to remember Christ’s presence with you.
• Sit five to fifteen minutes in silence bringing your attention to the Breath.
• As you inhale, allow the Breath to search you.
• As you exhale, allow the Breath to eliminate the wicked way.
• As you continue this practice, are there any secrets hidden in you for the Breath to unbind and free you?
• Allow the Breath to create as much freedom in you as possible today.
• How do you desire to be led to the way everlasting?
• Sit and listen.  Let the Breath guide you.
• What is your message from God?
• Give thanks to God for this time in prayer and for any new insights you have received.
• Share as you feel led in the reply box below.

Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday, July 23, 2017, the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)Genesis 28:10-19aPsalm 139:1-12, 23-24Romans 8:12-25Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43If you use these prayers in other groups, please give credit to author. Permission to use in not-for-profit settings (c) 2017 The Rev. Lil Smith, M.Div., DASD