Session 8. Called by the God Within
Reading: Chapter Eight in The Stories We Live
Resource: Calling Journal
Opening Prayer
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In my heart I have known
such intimacy with you Lord, known you are always within my reach. I have heard your glorious whisper breaking through the clamor of the world in which I move, spent time in silent worship in places of tranquillity and peace. But there are moments when deep in my soul you seem so far away, when the moments of my day are consumed by my own self-interest ambition and pride, when my heart judges and declares my guilt. Draw me close again, restore the love I first knew that I might worship you in spirit and truth not only with my lips but with each moment of my day. Faith and Worship: http://www.faithandworship.com/prayers_Christian_calling.htm#ixzz5QbXFu2MD Under Creative Commons License: Attribution |
Part 1. Introducing Called by the God Within
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God’s callings can come to you in many ways—through others, through recognizing your gifts in service and work that make a difference for others, in your sorrows and pain, and at times in your dreams. But the call within takes some effort on your part. You have to attend to and build your capacity to listen to the One who dwells within you.
God comes to dwell within our midst, abiding within us, and God calls each of us to abide within the One Holy Mystery. The call within is God’s sheer graced goodness, a gift of pure love, a boundless power that is source and destiny. But how? The call within is often difficult to hear because of the many distractions that keep you from listening to this source. How do you cultivate your awareness of the divine presence within you? How do you pray and listen? |
Part 2. Experiencing Spiritual Life Practices to Cultivate and Sustain God’s Calling Within
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This session provides several practices that can help you cultivate a sense of God’s calling within.
Start your experience with the Paying Attention to God in Daily Life (below). Then review the prayer activities in the attached file, "The Stories We Live - Prayer Activities," and select one or more prayer activities to experience. Activities
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Paying Attention to God in Daily Life
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(Adapted from The Art of Discernment: Spiritual Practices for Decision-Making by Elizabeth Liebert)
The Prayer of Examen helps us look for traces of God’s actions in our daily life, individually or as a household. It is usually done in the evening, looking back over the day, or it can be done as a household at the evening meal. Allow between five and fifteen minutes for this spiritual exercise. Eliminate distractions during this time: no TV, radio, phones, social media, etc. This is a time of quiet to spend alone or with each other in the presence of God. Note the gifts God has given you today. Give thanks for all God’s gifts and benefits. Pause for reflection. Ask God that this reflection be a time of special grace and revelation. You can use these words: Be near us now Lord. Let us look together at the day. Pause for reflection. Review the day with God. Look at the stirrings of your heart, your thoughts, your choices as the day progressed. Which have been of God? Which not? What does God want to say to you about both? Pause for reflection. Give God thanks and ask for forgiveness for any failure or omission, and for healing from their effects. Use these or similar words: Gracious God, everything is a gift from you. I give you thanks and praise for the gifts of today, such as …. I ask your forgiveness and mercy for …. I ask your healing in …. Pause for reflection. Look forward to the next day, and plan concretely with God how to live it according to God’s desire for your life. Ask for the graces you desire for tomorrow. Lord God, continue to be present with me in my life each day. Pause for reflection. |
Part 3. Evaluating Your Experience of "Stories We Live"
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Use the attached program evaluation to reflect on your learning from the program and then submit your evaluation to the C3 team.
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Closing Prayer
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Your light is the only light I need
as I travel through life's mystery. Your word the only voice I hear, that still small voice that leads me to the place where I should be. Your presence is the only company I need, as I walk this narrow road. Your fellowship the warmth I crave to help me on my way Faith and Worship: http://www.faithandworship.com/prayer_journey.htm#ixzz5QbYEsQpk Under Creative Commons License: Attribution |
