Marking Time: Forming Spirituality through the Christian Year

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Mark i ng T ime : Formi ng Sp i r i tua l i t y through the Chr i s t i an Year

Fleshing Out the Universal Priesthood, continued

verbose. Be a child in the presence of the Lord. Matt. 6.7-8 – And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. [8] Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. III. Keep it simple. God knows what you need and where you are, so you don’t have to show off or prove anything. Come to him simply, humbly, honestly, and he will meet you there. 1 Pet. 5.5-7 – Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” [6] Humble your selves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, [7] casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. IV. Experiment in freedom. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. His freedom allows you to initiate all sorts of practices in your time. Select a place in your home [or not!], create a family altar [or not!], use candles and music [or not!], use the colors of the Church year [or not!]! What is critical here is that you offer acknowledgment and praise to God each morning and evening from your heart; walk in freedom in all things. Gal. 5.1 – For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

A Simple Priestly Plan for Offering Morning and Evening Sacrifice

I. S eek the Lord’s presence in the Holy Spirit . In a simple, short, and open prayer, invoke the Lord’s presence for your moments of affirmation and acknowledgment. Ask the Spirit to meet you now. Ps. 63.1 – O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

Ps. 27.8 – You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.”