Lent 2023 – Day Nine – Luke 8 Verses 1 – 21
Welcome to our Daily reflections for Lent.
We have provided a number of ways of using these reflections.
- You can listen to it in podcast style by clicking on the first audio file. (approx 17 minutes);
- You can listen to the reflection and the prayers with a shortened length for personal prayer (approx 6 minutes);
- You can read your own version of the Bible and then listen to the reflection, play the hymn in the embedded YouTube clip and then listen to the prayer section;
- You can choose to just read through it and ignore the audio files; or
- any combination of the above.
However you choose to use them we hope you will find them helpful and thought provoking.
Full Audio of today’s reflection (Approx 17 mins).
Audio of Reflection and shortened prayers (approx 6 mins).
Read Luke Chapter 8 verses 1 – 21. In your own preferred version. The audio uses the NIV.
Link to the Bible Gateway NIV version (Opens in a new tab)
Audio of reflection only
Reflection
“A farmer went out to sow his seed.”
One of the things we can be fairly confident in saying about each other is that we are all far too busy. No matter what makes up the tasks of the day, they do make us feel as if each moment of the day is filled with activity. Even when these are church related responsibilities and activities, we can become so consumed by them that there is little time available to set aside for the things of God.
A weed is defined as something growing in the wrong place. So a beautiful plant no matter how beautiful can be a weed. Our busyness even with church activities can act like the weeds in our parable choking the spaces for engagement with God. We are also at risk of becoming dry and exhausted rock like and unable to sustain even the things we are doing. All of these things prevent us from bringing forth our good fruit for the kingdom of God.
Our challenge as we read the gospel and travel through this season of Lent is to identify where it is that we can start to make room for God’s word in our lives. So that we can hear his word and act on it to begin to bear more fruit. To reflect on our lives and see the things we need to remove from our diaries to make that space. I make no suggestion that this could be easy, as removing things we do is certainly a hard choice. Be they things we enjoy doing or those we do not think anyone else will take up if we do not do them. However, I am certain God wants those spaces where we can devote ourselves to listening to him. “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”
Hymn: “A farmer sowed his precious seed”.
Daily Sketch
Today’s passage spoke to me of the tending of a garden.
Let us pray together.
Audio of Prayer Section
After the contemplation words. The audio has approximately four minutes of the quiet background music for your own prayers. If you would like longer just stop the audio and re-start it when you wish. If you want a shorted period “drag” the audio to 05:45 which is just before the final prayer.
Contemplation Words
“ Therefore consider carefully how you listen.” (v 18 NIV)
Contemplative Prayer
Think of the words in order to understand context and meaning, Feel the meaning of the words with and in your heart,
Pray, using the words, for yourself or others. With only a name and without explaining the reasons or pre-defining any answers.
Listen for God’s voice in the quiet of your prayers.
Pray using your own prayers or one of those which have been prepared below.
Twitter Prayer
Loving God we thank you for our place as gardeners in your service. Help us to always nurture growing shoots of faith in you. Amen
Facebook Prayer
Loving God you call us to stand out as your followers. To be a lamp which sheds light for all around us. Lord help us when we would rather hide that light than speak of you. Help us always to listen to your encouraging word that we may hear the places you want us to go. Amen
Full Prayer
Lord you spoke to us in powerful parables, stories which cause us to stop and think. As we travel with you may we too see opportunities to speak powerful stories of your place in our lives. Let us speak passionately about the love that you have for everyone, about the light which you bring into the darkest of places.
Help us to be gardeners in your service, to identify the things which distract us from that work. Be by our side as we prioritise you in our lives and keep us from regretting the things we have given up to make that space for you.
