Advent: Let Your Gentleness Be Known to Everyone: Philippians 4:4-7
Philippians 4:4-7
4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
- 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 gentleness within you.
- Where does it live in you?
- What is the name of the gentleness that lives in you?
- Embrace gentleness in you.
- Do others know gentleness?
- How would you like to share gentleness with others?
- Name any fear that comes with this invitation.
- Pray for the Light in the Manger to guard your heart as you share gentleness with others.
- Share the good news of this Advent season. Gentleness brings peace that passes all understanding.
- Give thanks to God for this time in seeking Gentleness 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.
