Wednesday of Holy Week: Morning by Morning He Wakens: Isaiah 50:4-9a
During Holy Week, readings and meditations will be posted four times a day.
Isaiah 50:4-9a
4 The Lord GOD has given me
the tongue of a teacher,
that I may know how to sustain
the weary with a word.
Morning by morning he wakens —
wakens my ear
to listen as those who are taught.
5 The Lord GOD has opened my ear,
and I was not rebellious,
I did not turn backward.
6 I gave my back to those who struck me,
and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard;
I did not hide my face
from insult and spitting.
7 The Lord GOD helps me;
therefore I have not been disgraced;
therefore I have set my face like flint,
and I know that I shall not be put to shame;
8 he who vindicates me is near.
Who will contend with me?
Let us stand up together.
Who are my adversaries?
Let them confront me.
9 It is the Lord GOD who helps me;
who will declare me guilty?
- Light a candle to remember Christ’s presence with you.
- Sit five to fifteen minutes in silence bringing your attention to the Breath.
- This Wednesday morning of Holy Week, invite God to waken your ear.
- Listen.
- Listen to your breath.
- Listen to the Breath.
- Listen to your heartbeat.
- Listen to the Beloved.
- Listen as God wakens the world around you.
- Listen to Creation.
- Who needs to hear the Good News today?
- It is the Lord God who helps you.
- The weary need to be sustained by the Word.
- Listen for those who desire to hear.
- What is your invitation from God today?
- 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 Wednesday, March 27, 2024, the Wednesday of Holy Week (Year B)
Isaiah 50:4-9A
Psalm 70:1-5
Hebrews 12:1-3
John 13:21-32
If you use these prayers in other groups, please give credit to author. Permission to use in not-for-profit settings. (c) 2024 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.
