Today is Sunday the 29th of May and on this Sabbath day we are joining millions of Christians around the world in the global prayer movement, Thy Kingdom Come.
Each day we are meditating on the Bible and being encouraged by Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury.
As I enter prayer now, I pause to be still; to breathe slowly, to re-centre my scattered senses upon the presence of God.
Creator God, who formed humanity from dust, breathe in me again. Revive me and sanctify me by the power of Your Spirit. Set my heart on fire with the good news of Your gospel.
I choose to rejoice in God’s nourishing word today, joining with the ancient praises of all God’s people in the words of Psalms 119…
Your eternal word, O LORD,
Psalms 119:89-91 (NLT)
stands firm in heaven.
Your faithfulness extends to every generation,
as enduring as the earth you created.
Your regulations remain true to this day,
for everything serves your plans.
Today I am reflecting on the benefits of setting my heart on God and His nourishing word…
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
1 Peter 2:2-3 (NIVUK)
‘Milk in the Bible often represents blessing and abundance … What is this milk, which strengthens and feeds us to grow in this new life? I think it is the word of God – through Scripture, and the call of the Holy Spirit on our hearts. We are fragile, but His word strengthens us.’*
God’s word is a blessing to me – the source of my life, the source of my wisdom, hope and strength. God’s word is the only food that can satisfy my soul’s hunger and quench my soul’s thirst.
Lord, may Your word strengthen and feed me, refreshing my weary and yearning soul. As I open my Bible this morning and meditate on Your word – let my soul find a nourishing feast that You have so lovingly prepared!
Lord, I also pray for someone I know, a friend, a colleague, a neighbour or even a family member, whose soul is weary and yearning right now. Let Your word bring hope and renewed strength. (Ps. 119:114)
As I return to the passage I listen out for any particular word or phrase that the Holy Spirit seems to be highlighting for me personally.
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
1 Peter 2:2-3 (NIVUK)
What word or phrase jumped out at me from these verses?
I am captured by the word ‘crave’; the idea of an unrestrained hunger. Peter is not describing a passive or polite feeling but a strong and deep desire for God.
LORD, create in me an unrestrained hunger, a craving for Your word,; let it forever remain in my heart and on my lips. Help me to meditate on Your word day and night so I might live in accordance with what You say.
And now, as I prepare to take this time of prayer into the coming day, the Lord who loves me says in Psalm 1:
Blessed is the one
Psalm 1:1-2 (NIVUK)
who does not walk in step with the wicked…
but whose delight is in the law of the LORD,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
Father, help me to live this day to the full,
being true to You, in every way.
May this day bring Sabbath rest to my heart and my home.
May God’s image in me be restored, and my imagination in God be re-storied.
May the gravity of material things be lightened, and the relativity of time slow down.
May I know grace to embrace my own finite smallness in the arms of God’s infinite greatness.
May God’s Word feed me and His Spirit lead me into the week and into the life to come.**
*Archbishop Justin Welby, Thy Kingdom Come: Novena, Reflections on 1 Peter, (London: Church House Publishing 2022), Day 3, p. 10.
**Pete Greig, A Sabbath Blessing, www.petegreig.info
