Be Like a Tree Planted by Water: Jeremiah 17:5-10

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Jeremiah 17:5-10

⁵Thus says the LORD: Cursed are those who trust in mere mortals and make mere flesh their strength, whose hearts turn away from the LORD. ⁶They shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when relief comes. They shall live in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.

⁷Blessed are those who trust in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. ⁸They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit.

⁹The heart is devious above all else; it is perverse-who can understand it? ¹⁰I the LORD test the mind and search the heart, to give to all according to their ways, according to the fruit of their doings.

• 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.
• As you inhale, breathe in the invitation of the water
• As you exhale, let out any fears, doubts, and obstacles that create unfreedom.
• Continue this practice until you are at peace, feeling freedom.
• Remember a time when you were in a desert place in your life. Your focus was on the things of the world turned away from God.
• Remember the dry, parched feeling. What blinders kept you from seeing the relief God wanted you to embrace?
• Give thanks for the shift that came when you were able to embrace the relief and join God at the water.
• What is it in your life today that needs your focus turned toward God, to embrace the relief by the water?
• Sit with God by the water. Invite the water to flow over you and embrace the love and healing that comes.
• What is God’s message for you?
• 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, February 13, 2022, the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)

Jeremiah 17:5-10
Psalm 1:1-6
1 Corinthians 15:12-20
Luke 6:17-26

If you use these prayers in other groups, please give credit to author. Permission to use in not-for-profit settings.  (c) 2022 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 certification, 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.