Silent Prayer – Acrostic | Hope found in M.E.

As a Companion of Nazareth, part of what we do is to meet online at 7am twice a week for a hour of silent prayer.

Morning Prayer

Today, I have been awake from before 6am. And wondered if I would stay that way. I will freely admit that I’m not always awake enough to participate.

I am also not that good at silent prayer. Akin to everything, being a work in progress. I can be still, but my mind can be busy and go on numerous and varying diversions.

Lots Of Signposts — Images Courtesy of Pexels

Some Signposts On A Pole — Images Courtesy of Pexels

The aim is to still the mind and focus on a faith word or phrase. Such as Maranatha.

Focusing The Mind

Over the years, having spent a lot of time stuck in bed, minus devices. As the chronic illness I have began before the advent of social media, and using tech has been a problem from day one. Thank goodness for smartphones. Not really being able to watch television very much, struggling to read, listen to detail and talk for very long. I’m quite good at visualising an image to occupy my mind. I often dip into past journeys taken by bus or walking.

So today, even though we had a static live stream from the church, I visualised going into a church. Such as the church I was able to visit a few weeks ago.

A Dark Green Church Noticeboard Outdoors — ©️ Image http://www.hopefoundinme.com

An Arched Stone Church Entrance Porch — ©️ Image http://www.hopefoundinme.com

Contemplation

Opening the arched door, beyond the well worn and smooth entrance paving, it creaks. The large heavy round door handle worn and in need of a little oil. The atmosphere is quiet and calm as I enter the building. A comfortable temperature. I *sit in a pew, a few pews from the front. And notice the prayer books, and service sheets neatly placed within. I gaze at the alter, with cream candles gently flickering in the dull morning light. The stained glass colours still deep in colour despite the gradual rising sun. The ever so gentle hint of incense and the aroma of aged wood drift across my senses. It's tranquil, restful and quiet. I begin to contemplate.

*For some reason I still visualise myself walking, not sitting in one of my wheelchairs. No idea why. I guess it's easier to visualise when pews are involved!

A scripture comes to mind. One I have been leaning into alot of late.

Exodus 14:14 NIV

The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be STILL.
_{Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.}

The Acrostic

And there I begin to still my mind further and find the actrostic. I let it roll gently around my mind.

S~aved

T~ransformed

I~gnited

L~oved

L~ed

I sit with it, moving from word to word. Letting them sink in.

Closing Thoughts

Before I know it, it’s almost 8am GMT. The closing prayer is spoken over the group of about thirty praying folk, gathered from across the globe in differing time zones. And silent prayer closes for the day.

Trees In The Mist With Sun Shining Through — Image Courtesy of Pexels

Many will gather again, depending on the days commitments, at 8.30am for spoken morning prayer. We start the day a little more refreshed and a little more peaceful. A peace we can dive back into at any time.

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Have a blessed day⚘