Description
Reaching out to God Having Sinned, Through Scriptural Meditation and Prayer
In this session, we press into spiritual he… (visit YouTube for more)
Transcript
In this fallen world, the consequences of our sin can leave us stunned and grieving. However you’re feeling, whatever you’ve done, know that the best thing you can possibly do at this time is to turn to the truth of God’s word in prayer and meditation.
I’m including a lament at the end of this meditation session, and I strongly recommend you watch to the end. This will be very helpful for you, as it has been for me.
Before we start, let’s breathe in and out. This breath is given us by God, and this helps us to settle and prepare for meditation. Three times, we’ll breathe in deeply for seven seconds, and out for seven seconds. Follow my voice and the progress bar.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
And again, breathe in.
Breathe out.
Last time, breathe in.
Breathe out.
Before we meditate, please offer a brief prayer in your head or out loud, thanking God for His Word and asking Him to meet with you today. I’ll give you a moment to pray.
We’ll meditate on three passages, starting with James 5 16. Before I read it, note that in this passage, "healed" means to be made whole, free from errors and sins, to be saved.
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
Please repeat that after me, out loud, or in your mind.
Therefore, confess your sins to one another,
and pray for one another,
that you may be healed.
The prayer of a righteous person
has great power as it is working.
As a meditation aid, I’m going to ask two questions. I’ll leave the passage and the questions on screen for you. Do pause the video if you’d like more time on this.
Question one. How should confession form part of our spiritual life?
Question two. In what way is God working to heal and restore you?
Our second meditation passage is 1 John 2, verses 1 to 2. It includes the word "propitiation", which means a sacrifice that takes on God’s wrath and turns it into favour.
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But, if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
Repeat that after me.
My little children,
I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin.
But if anyone does sin,
we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
He is the propitiation for our sins,
and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
Two more questions.
Question one. How does Jesus advocate for us?
Question 2. What has Jesus done to our sin?
Our final scripture comes from Psalm 51, verses 12 to 13. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.
Please repeat that passage now.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will return to you.
And two questions. The first is, how might God answer this prayer?
And the second question. What good can come from this?
Heavenly Father, you are a holy God. We recognise that and we know that all too often we fall short of your glory. But Lord God, you lift us up, you forgive us, you seek a relationship with us. As long as you are faithful to us, God, please help us to remain faithful to you. As we suffer the consequences of our own sin and of others, please help us to be forgiving and gracious, and please lead us into deeper knowledge of your truth. In all that we have experienced, please help us to rescue others from similar grief. Amen.
I’ll make some space now for you to offer your own prayer to God, or simply to rest quietly in His presence as you reflect on this time of meditation.
Please read this lament with me. It is from Lamentations 3, verses 19 to 26. Remember my affliction and my wanderings,
the wormwood and the gall.
My soul continually remembers it
and is bowed down within me,
but this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases.
His mercies never come to an end.
They are new every morning.
Great is your faithfulness.
Please come back to this meditation as often as it helps you. God is infinite and he can show us so many different things in just one verse. With the Holy Spirit’s guidance, each time we meditate can be fresh and full of his life.
Can I pray a blessing over you?
Oh Lord God, you are present with my friend in the stillness before you. We know it is your heart to bring healing and restoration and we thank you for this. In all that remains to be walked may you bring wisdom, mercy, and grace. May you comfort all those affected, and may they, too, recognise that you, our Father, are the true answer to all our needs, our longings, our pain. In you, we find acceptance, forgiveness, love, and hope. Praise you forever. Amen.
