Lent 2023 – Day Ten – Luke 8 verses 22 – 56
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 18 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 including Bible reading (approx 17 minutes).
Audio of Reflection and shortened prayers (approx 6 mins).
Read Luke Chapter 8 Verses 22-56. 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
“Return home and tell how much God has done for you.”
One of the themes of the President and Vice President of the Methodist Church selected for their year of office a few years ago was telling our stories.
I had the pleasure of leading a couple of sessions at an event in Dunstable where we explored how to tell our stories. The majority of us can speak with passion about our children, the football or rugby team we support, our work and any number of other things.
It is, however, true that many of us find it very difficult to share our stories of our relationship with Jesus with those where we live, work, and play. I am sure that the main reason for this is that we are not sure what to say or are nervous about how it will be received.
In our passage today Jesus gives us a simple example of how to go about this when he says, to the man he has healed, “Return to your home and declare how much God has done for you.” Nothing complicated just go and tell others about what God had done for him.
This Lent we have the opportunity to think about what God has done for each one of us. How we have met him and he has changed us. Times we have seen him at work in our own lives and what that has meant to us. What difference those experiences of God have made in our lives.
We are tasked by Jesus to be like the man who was healed and just tell it like it is. We also pray for God to give us opportunities to speak of those things. We are not responsible for the outcome of our efforts to share Jesus but we are responsible for our faithfulness in having conversations with others and trusting God to use them as only he is able.
Hymn: Singing the Faith – 407 “Hear the call of the Kingdom”
Contemplation Words
“ So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.” (v 39 NIV)
Let us pray together.
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 the impact you have had on our lives. Help us to speak plainly about you and your love. Amen
Facebook Prayer
Stories are powerful things especially when from our own experience, Lord we pray that we will not be slow to share the stories of our journey with you. The wonders you have done in our lives and the assurance that your love gives to us. Help us to say what you have done in our lives in simple terms that come from our hearts. Amen
Full Prayer
Lord we read the parables and we see stories of everyday things which, when listened to and studied, reveal both the challenges to our lives and the wonder of your love for us.
We pray that you will enable us to use the everyday experiences we have to tell stories of you. Help us to be bold in speaking and give us the simple words which will touch the hearts of those we speak to.
You are awesome and yet you are a part of each of our lives. As you touch our lives we are inspired and encouraged. As you bring healing to body, mind or soul help us like the man in our reading today to go and tell what you have done in our lives.
Take and use my stumbling words to change peoples hearts and draw them into a relationship with you. I trust you with all that I will day today, that it will be appropriate, engaging and full of your truth. Amen
Copyright Notices
Reflections and Prayers
By Chris Hancock
Hymns
Hymn words where displayed are in the Public Domain. Hymn organ recordings where used are from Small Church Music. Copyright notice: Rev. Clyde McLennan, performer in this collection, has assigned his performer rights in this collection to Hymnary.org. Non-commercial use of these recordings is permitted. Other hymns are from YouTube and covered by YouTube copyright processes.
Bible Readings
Bible readings are from the New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Images
Images where used are from pixabay.com and free for commercial use no attribution required.
Background Music
The background music in today’s recordings is: Music from Pixabay Relaxing Music Vol.12 – Relaxing Time slightly edited by Chris Hancock as permitted by the Pixabay licence.
