Our Inner Nature Being Renewed Day by Day: 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1

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2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1

^4:13But just as we have the same spirit of faith that is in accordance with scripture — “I believed, and so I spoke” — we also believe, and so we speak, ¹⁴because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will bring us with you into his presence. ¹⁵Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

¹⁶So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. ¹⁷For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, ¹⁸because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.

^5:1For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

• Light a candle to remember Christ’s presence with you.
• Sit five to fifteen minutes in silent meditation paying close attention to the deep breath.
• On the in breath, chant “Come Holy Spirit.”
• On the out breath, chant “Renew me.”
• Pay attention to the goodness of God’s breath as you breathe.
• Set aside anything keeping your attention from God.
• Allow the breath to permeate your body.  Feel the breath renewing every part of you.  From head to toe, from torso to fingertips.
• As you come to a place that is tired and needs to be renewed, remain here allowing God’s breath to renew from the inside out.
• Continue this exercise as the breath moves through you.
• Now that your body has been renewed, consider what in your mind needs to be renewed.
• What earthly tent has been destroyed?
• What eternal renewal does God have to offer you?
• Give thanks to God for the chance to see beyond that which is temporary, to see eternal things, 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, June 6, 2021, the Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

1 Samuel 8:4-11 (12-15) 16-20 (11:14-15)
Psalm 138:1-8
2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1
Mark 3:20-35

If you use these prayers in other groups, please give credit to author. Permission to use in not-for-profit settings.  (c) 2021 The Rev. Dr. Lil Smith, DASD

Rev. Dr. Lil Smith is a trained spiritual director, supervisor, and co-founder of Retreat House Spirituality Center in Richardson, TX.  Upon completion of her spiritual direction training, Lil began Praying the Lectionary in 2011 as a spiritual practice for her morning prayer time.  Instead of reading about someone else’s experience of God, it was important for her to create a prayer practice that would encourage felt sense experience of the Holy emerging from within.  It dawned on her others might enjoy the practice, as well.  So she began to share them on this site.

As you experience the practice of Praying the Lectionary, adopt a loving, caring, and compassionate stance.  If the end of your prayer and meditation time is not pointing to love and hope, there is more work to do.  Keep wrestling.  God is faithful to your journey.  Love and hope will emerge.  Be gentle with yourself and befriend any judgment that arises in you.