Spending Quiet Time with God In your group, take turns reading each of the passages below out loud. Circle below how often it is recommended that we spend time with God reading the scriptures? What do you observe as a consistent theme in these passages about spending time with God? Discuss with your group what some of the benefits are of doing so and write them down in this space.
David -- Psalm 1:1-3 “Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night. They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper.” Joshua 1:5, 8-9 “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you…This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to act in accordance with all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall be successful. I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Deuteronomy 17:18-20 “When he (the King) has taken the throne of his kingdom, he shall have a copy of this law written for him in the presence of the Levitical priests. It shall remain with him and he shall read it in all the days of his life, so that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, diligently observing all the words of this law and these statutes, neither exalting himself above other members of the community nor turning aside from the commandment, either to the right or to the left, so that he and his descendants may reign long over his kingdom in Israel.” Proverbs 8:33-34 “Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it. Happy is the one who listens to me (wisdom), watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors. For whoever finds me (wisdom) finds life and obtains favor from the Lord; but those who miss me injure themselves; all who hate me love death.” Acts 17:10-11 “That very night the believers sent Paul and Silas off to Berea; and when they arrived, they went to the Jewish synagogue. These Jews were more receptive than those in Thessalonica, for they welcomed the message very eagerly and examined the scriptures every day to see whether these things were so.” Deuteronomy 6:6-7 “Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on you hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on you gates.”
Developing your Prayer Life The Lord’s Prayer offers an example from our Lord Jesus Christ on how to pray. It includes elements of Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication (ACTS). This offers us a model for prayer that we can develop for personal or communal prayer. 1. Begin with praise and adoration for who God is, thinking of terms like his power and might, his holiness, his mercy, his love for all his people. Praise him for these attributes and characteristics as you begin your prayer and give him glory in your heart. Write down a list of words that you associate with the Father for which you would like to give him praise and adoration.
2. Next, spend a few moments in confession for thoughts, words and deeds that you feel are not pleasing to God. You could recite the confessional from the Book of Common Prayer for these purposes, or think of individual acts that you wish to confess before the Lord.
3. Third, list items that you are thankful for individually or corporately that God has done for you, your family, or your parish. Give him thanks for his provision, his working in your life, or just for his presence with you during a trial. List below some of the things you are thankful for, and then repeat them in prayer to the Lord regularly.
4. Finally, bring your supplications or requests before the Lord. This list could include anything that is on your heart for you, your family, or your parish. By keeping a list you can also make note when God answers your prayers, and then you can move them up to the Thanksgiving part!
This method of prayer can be used in your own quiet times or as an introduction to a Vestry meeting, a covenant group meeting, or any other gathering of believers. It is suggested that for group meetings you leave out the Confession part unless you feel it is needed.