Monday, August 7, 2017 Meditation Styles: “Re-Collection” or “Centering Down” (Meditation, Part 8) (Inspired by Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster)

Monday, August 7, 2017

Meditation Styles: “Re-Collection” or “Centering Down” (Meditation, Part 8)

(Inspired by Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster)

Scripture: (All NIV)

Psalm 46:10

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

Habakkuk 2:20

“But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him.”

Psalm 131:2  

But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content.

Isaiah 26:3-4

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.

Psalm 55:22

 Cast your cares on the Lord
    and he will sustain you;
he will never let
    the righteous be shaken.

1 Peter 5:6-7

 ⁶ Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, ⁷ casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

Devotional:

The second form of meditation outlined by Richard Foster in Celebration of Discipline is the process of “re-collection,” also referred to as “centering down” by the Quaker sect of the faith. This practice includes an exercise Pastor Foster suggests, called “Palms Down, Palms Up.” I love to think of this as casting my care, with a physical connection. When we are struggling to find peace, we can take a few quiet moments to intentionally give to God the things that we are trying to carry ourselves. We can say, or inwardly pray, “Palms down. Lord, I release to You my disappointment over my difficult child. I release to You my frustration with my husband. I release to You my anxiety about the upcoming school year.” Take some time to truly surrender. Then, turn your palms upward as a symbol of receiving. You can say aloud, or simply pray in your heart, “Palms up. God, I receive Your peace and joy for this challenge with my child. I receive love and a servant’s heart toward my husband. I receive Your peace about the school year.” Let God minister to you in silence for as long as needed. This isn’t when we then intercede or take part in supplication, only receive God’s healing and ministry in silence.

Yesterday, during communion, I was struggling with a heavy burden, and during the time of quiet reflection I put this discipline into practice. God truly met me where I was, and I left that burden at the cross. I had been carrying it for quite some time, and truly left lighter. I am grateful that the Lord is guiding me, and us, into ways that we can practice our faith. He desires to minister to us. There is no magic potion for healing, and this is not a law or rule in any way, but I am excited to know ways that I can connect more deeply with the Lord through taking the time to meditate on His love for me and receive His healing. As we pray today, let’s take a few moments to practice this discipline.

Prayer:

(Palms Down):

Lord, today I release to You (name concern, burden, inward sin, need. Take time to truly release it to Him.)

(Palms Up):

I receive Your healing, mercy, forgiveness, love (other need).

(Sit in silence as the Lord ministers to you. Receive from Him. Don’t put a time limit on it, but don’t rush it. Let Him minister.)

Intercession:

Father, I lift up my children to You today. (Go over list of needs. Maybe now would be another opportunity to practice Palms Down, Palms Up. Make a note of what God is ministering, and list victories and progress.)

I bless You, Lord, and thank You for Your healing touch.

In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.