Intentional prayer. 

Jesus said:

"Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing."

John 15:4,5

Each day until Lent begins you are asked to commit to praying for St Mary’s. Use the prayer, and read the reading for the week.

Be open to what God might be saying through the reading for you, and for St Mary’s as together we seek healing and wholeness.
You may find the notes Reading the Scriptures with your Heart, at the end of the leaflet helpful.

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ
You are the vine, we are the branches.
Where we are hurting, heal us
Where we are searching, guide us.
Nourish us to grow as your body here in Chartham
that through us your people will know
the power of your renewing, transforming love,
and together we may celebrate
your gift of life in all its fullness. Amen

Reading for the week beginning:

4 Jan   Mark 1:4-11 (Gospel for 10 Jan)

11 Jan   Mark 2:18-22 (Gospel for 17 Jan)

18 Jan   John 2:1-11 (Gospel for 24 Jan)

25 Jan   Luke 2:22-40 (Gospel for 31 Jan)

1 Feb   John 1:1-14 (Gospel for 7 Feb)

8 Feb   Mark 9:2-9 (Gospel for 14 Feb)


Reading the Scriptures with your Heart

A very good way of pondering a passage of scripture with your heart is to approach the scripture text as you would a love letter.
Read the passage slowly, aloud, or in a whisper....
Let the words wash over you....
Re-read the passage lovingly as if you were reading a letter from a dear friend....

Stay with the words or phrases that especially catch your attention.... Absorb them the way the thirsty earth receives the rain....
Savour each phrase or word.... perhaps repeating it silently
Only move on when you want to; there is no need to pray the whole text.

Allow your heart to be moved; when a thought or feeling resonates deeply, stay with it.... Allow it to penetrate your being.... Express it to God....
Occasionally you might want to ask yourself questions concerning this passage: Why? How? When? How might this apply now? Let further feelings and thoughts well up in your heart as you ponder to find deeper meaning or understanding or a different way of seeing things.
Respond spontaneously in your own words from your heart as in dialogue…Express your thoughts and feelings to God

Allow a space of silence and listen for what God might have to say to you