Week 1

This Is My Son, Listen to Him

Daily Prayer Pattern

Prayer of Presence

Holy God
of unconditional love
and unlimited presence,
I come to make myself fully available
to you, your will, and your way.

Speak to me gently and clearly,
for I am yours
and desire to hear, understand,
and be obedient
to your slightest whisper.
Speak, for I am listening.

Silence

Now is the time to incorporate the week's focal prayer practice of sitting in silence. Wait in silence as you invite the Spirit's guidance to form your prayers and shape your life. Quiet your soul before God for several minutes, extending the time a little more each day if possible.

Scripture

Monday Mark 1:9-13
Tuesday Matthew 17:1-6
Wednesday Mark 9:1-8
Thursday Isaiah 1:16-18
Friday Luke 9:28-35
Saturday John 8:31-38
Sunday 2 Peter 1:16-21

Turn to the Daily Scriptures section to read the day's text from the Common English Bible.

Reading

On the first day of your week, read the story found in the Weekly Reading section. Pay attention to the details of the story and the main truth it contains. Look for ways in which the story on the page relates to the story of your life.

On each day following, recall the story and consider any new insights or applications. You also may choose to read and reflect on the quotations interspersed throughout Week 1.

Dialogue and Discovery

What is the Scripture passage saying to me today?

Can I accept and apply this message to myself? To my world?

How will this message change my life?

What is the reading revealing to me today?

What messages does the reading call forth from my own story?

What direction, guidance, or wisdom am I hearing and sensing?

What actions are being suggested as my response?

Reflection

Insights and Thoughts:

Response

Today I will ...

Prayers of Petition

For the world, its leaders, and its people For those whose lives touch mine today

For myself and those placed in my care

The prayer Jesus taught us

Blessing

God of love and compassion, grant me grace to walk in companionship with you this day so that I may hear and respond to your call and walk in faithfulness and peace this day and always.

The Lord's Prayer

The Prayer That Jesus Taught Us

Our Father, which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth,
As it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
The power, and the glory,
For ever and ever.
Amen.

Daily Scriptures

Monday Mark 1:9-13

About that time, Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River. While he was coming up out of the water, Jesus saw heaven splitting open and the Spirit, like a dove, coming down on him. And there was a voice from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I dearly love; in you I find happiness."

At once the Spirit forced Jesus out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among the wild animals, and the angels took care of him.

* * *

Tuesday Matthew 17:1-6

Six days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them to the top of a very high mountain. He was transformed in front of them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light.

Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Jesus. Peter reacted to all of this by saying to Jesus, "Lord, it's good that we're here. If you want, I'll make three shrines: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."

While he was still speaking, look, a bright cloud overshadowed them. A voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son whom I dearly love. I am very pleased with him. Listen to him!" Hearing this, the disciples fell on their faces, filled with awe.

Christians at their best are good listeners, and the Christian church, when most faithful, is a listening community. To live with God in this world that God loves requires some intense and intentional listing. So many competing voices are calling for our attention that without concentrated effort and determination we may easily miss what God is saying to us. We may even miss the way and will into which God is trying to lead us.

Rueben P. Job, A Guide to Spiritual Discernment

* * *

Wednesday Mark 9:1-8

Jesus continued, "I assure you that some standing here won't die before they see God's kingdom arrive in power."

Six days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and brought them to the top of a very high mountain where they were alone. He was transformed in front of them, and his clothes were amazingly bright, brighter than if they had been bleached white. Elijah and Moses appeared and were talking with Jesus. Peter reacted to all of this by saying to Jesus, "Rabbi, it's good that we're here. Let's make three shrines—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." He said this because he didn't know how to respond, for the three of them were terrified.

Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice spoke from the cloud, "This is my Son, whom I dearly love. Listen to him!" Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.

* * *

Thursday Isaiah 1:16-18

Wash! Be clean!
Remove your ugly deeds from my sight.
Put an end to such evil;
learn to do good.
Seek justice:
help the oppressed;
defend the orphan;
plead for the widow.

Come now, and let's settle this,
says the Lord.
Though your sins are like scarlet,
they will be white as snow.
If they are red as crimson,
they will become like wool.

* * *

Friday Luke 9:28-35

About eight days after Jesus said these things, he took Peter, John, and James, and went up on a mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed and his clothes flashed white like lightning. Two men, Moses and Elijah, were talking with him. They were clothed with heavenly splendor and spoke about Jesus' departure, which he would achieve in Jerusalem. Peter and those with him were almost overcome by sleep, but they managed to stay awake and saw his glory as well as the two men with him.

As the two men were about to leave Jesus, Peter said to him, "Master, it's good that we're here. We should construct three shrines: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah"—but he didn't know what he was saying. Peter was still speaking when a cloud overshadowed them. As they entered the cloud, they were overcome with awe.

Then a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, my chosen one. Listen to...