4th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

My Lord

How do I let go of anxiety

        so I might speak with authority?

Let me shed my insecurity

        so I might walk with confidence!

Teach me ways to stand strong

        so I show conviction in my beliefs!

Allow me to hold fast to YOU,

        as I find your words in my voice! 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Deuteronomy 18:15-20

• Read the scripture as though you are Moses.  Does it change the meaning or message? What thoughts or feelings well up in you when you do this?
• Does this scripture encourage you to speak God’s Word or cause you to be afraid to speak God’s Word? 

1Corinthians 7:32-35

• Name the distractions in your life which cause you to not be as close to God/Jesus/Holy Spirit as you desire. Consider what you can do to lessen the distractions that keep you from this relationship.
• How does being married or single distract you from God? 
• How does being married or single bring you closer to God?

Mark 1:21-28

• The people in the temple where amazed by Jesus’ action. What causes you to be amazed by God? 
• Jesus was teaching with authority. What are you comfortable speaking about with authority?
• How can you, like Jesus, speak truth to draw out the demons in a situation or in a relationship?

General Questions for Journaling

• Do believe God anxiously waits for you to wake up each day to watch you unfold what is laid out on your path?
• Identify the characteristics of a prophet of God. Do you have some of them?
• Do you believe there are prophets who exist today? Who are they and are they guides for you?
• Are there people in your life which you know to speak only truth?
• Can you identify people whom you believe are or where prophets of their time? Who are people who have created a great uproar in their community or in the world? For what purpose?
• As a baptized person, you are a prophet…how can you live more like the prophet you are?
• What worries you about the world today? Write down at least 5 things and pray each day for the things that worry you.
• Have you ever experienced so much worry that it became a dark cloud over you? How were you able to overcome?
• Have you ever rebuked something? Why? Was it for selfish reasons or for God?
• Do you have something “unclean” within you which you need to ask Jesus to call out?
• Where do you see “unclean” situations? Consider globally, nationally, locally and individually and listen to God respond to your concern.
• Who in your life do you trust explicitly? Is anyone who is in authority whom you trust? How do you know when someone is being authentic?
• Has a new thought, process, or idea ever challenged you to change your ways? 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  YOU bring us out of darkness;

ALL:  WE ARE FREE!

Leader:  YOU lead us out of the desert;

ALL:  WE ARE FREE!

Leader:  YOU call us out of our selfishness;

ALL:  WE ARE FREE!

Leader:  YOU free us from our sins;

ALL:  WE ARE FREE!

Leader:  Lord, with YOU

ALL:  WE ARE FREE!

Challenge for the Week:  What do you call God?  Make a list of all of the names that can be used to describe all three persons of the Trinity, write them down.  Then take the list you made and cut the names out individually and place in a bowl, dish or cup.  Draw from this list a different name each day and use that name in your prayers that entire day.  Spend time throughout the day reflecting on the name and what it means to you, how it describes God and what it reveals about God’s nature.  Start now, or make plans for this to be included in your Lenten prayer practice.