Why are you cast down oh my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.Psalm 42:5 O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand...
Category: Let the Thirsty Come
Praying with the Word
Praying with Scripture helps us to interact and converse with God, rather than just talking to him. We can go to God and his Word expectantly, remembering that Jesus, the Living Word, and his Spirit are always present and active. Jesus reveals the Father, and the Spirit draws us into the loving communion of our...
A Shift in Emphasis
This activity can be helpful for meditating on a single verse or phrase. For all meditation, it is important to understand the passage and its context. This is especially vital in an activity like this when we are focusing on only a few words. Open to the passage and read it slowly. On the first...
A Shift in Perspective
This activity is helpful for meditating on stories or narrative passages. As with all of the meditation activities, beginning and ending the time with prayer and silence is recommended. Remember not to rush. Read through the passage once and notice the different people or perspectives in the story. For example, in John 11:38-44 (Jesus raising...
Knitting with the Word
For some, it can be very helpful to do something active while meditating on Scripture. This is one reason why many find the Walking with the Word activity beneficial. In this meditation time, rather than walking, choose a crafting activity that you can do almost without thinking. If the craft requires significant focus or concentration,...
Part 9: Reflection
This is the final part of our Let the Thirsty Come retreat series, which highlights different aspects of spending extended quality time with God. What makes a time of reflection fruitful? The retreat series began with thoughts from the parable of the prodigal son. In this final devotional of the series, Josh returns to that story to...
Color-Coded Thanks
This activity is a type of prayer journaling that helps you express your specific needs to the Lord and recount the ways that he has answered prayer. While it can be done as part of a spiritual retreat, it is even better as a regular journaling practice. Recording Specific Prayer and Specific Praise You delivered...
Creative Praise
Choose one of the following activities to creatively express your love and thanks through art. A Picture of Safety You are good to me and I am secure in you Choose a psalm and spend some time meditating on it. What pictures or metaphors have been most helpful for you understanding you are secure in...
Written Praise
Choose one of the following activities to focus on journaling or writing your thanks and praise through written prayers, liturgies, poems, or song. God is Mighty to Save You save your people from trouble Choose a psalm and take some time to meditate on it. Afterwards, write your own prayer, poem, or song thanking God...
Active Praise
In these activities, we use our actions and posture of our bodies in order to help us dwell on God’s beauty and express praise to him. Choose one of the following activities to physically express your love and thanks. Walking with Awe and Thanks You are a glorious creator and provider Choose a psalm and...