Advent: I Will Trust and Not Be Afraid: Canticle of Isaiah 12:2-6

https://youtu.be/Ymz7aPOPs_0

Canticle Isaiah 12:2-6

²Surely God is my salvation;

I will trust, and will not be afraid,

for the LORD GOD is my strength and my might;

he has become my salvation.

³With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. ⁴And you will say in that day:

Give thanks to the LORD,

call on his name;

make known his deeds among the nations;

proclaim that his name is exalted.

⁵Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously;

let this be known in all the earth.

⁶Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion,

for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.

• Light a candle to remember Christ’s presence with you.
• Sit is silent meditation five to fifteen minutes paying attention to the deep breath.
• As you pay attention to your deep breath, lower or close your eyes as you feel led, focusing on your interior space.
• Notice the well within you. 
• Describe the well.
• What is the name of the well?
• Embrace this well within you.  
• Return your focus to your interior space.
• Name any fear you are experiencing.
• Love this fear place in you.
• Let the cool water of the well speak to fear.
• Hear the good news of this Advent season.  Trust God and do not be afraid.
• Give thanks to God for this time in seeking Trust and for any new insights you have received.
• Share as you feel led in the reply box below.

Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday, December 12, 2021, the Third Sunday of Advent (Year C)

Zephaniah 3:14-20
Canticle Isaiah 12:2-6
Philippians 4:4-7
Luke 3:7-18

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.