As we begin week 3 of studying spiritual practices that can deepen our faith, I want to thank you for going on this journey with me. This week will be a little different, because I just tested positive for COVID. There will not be a video, but I've put together this information as a continuation of our discussion last week. I hope it will be an encouragement to you as you continue to incorporate The Daily Office into your life with Jesus.
As I am learning how to make the Daily Office a part of my life, one of the helpful things I've found is hearing how other trusted people are putting these habits in place in their own life. Today, I want you to read a short excerpt from a blog by Pete Scazzero. Pete is talking about what his Daily Office practice looks like. It's full of great insight:
DAILY OFFICES FOR ME - JULY 2008
by Pete Scazzero
*Found at emotionallyhealthy.org
"I am often asked what I do for my Daily Offices. The answer is not too complex. I generally pause 3-4 times a day – morning for a longer period, midday, evening and compline (right before going to bed). I have been meditating on and praying the Psalms now for over 3 and a half years, using the schedule found at the end of the Book of Common Prayer. I don’t keep to the daily schedule with dates but just keep moving along day by day. I think it works out to praying through the Psalter every 5-6 weeks. This is my bread and butter. I generally will take 2 ten to twenty minutes blocks of silence somewhere in my offices (almost always in the morning). I almost always have a devotional handy (like the Sayings of the Desert Fathers or Cassian) and will go through seasons of memorizing a passage or Psalm through the day (I have been on Ps. 116 for over a month). If I get restless, I will go the gospels and read them in a lectio divina way, but I find myself almost always back to the Psalms. Finally, I pray through the Lord’s Prayer 2-3 times a day during my offices. It keeps me grounded, especially about "THY WILL BE DONE" as I find my will quickly takes over during a day filled with activity! Anyway, Geri (my wife) says I am a bit legalistic. Probably so, but I am in such need of stopping that I would be out of control without it. I love the Offices and cannot imagine now living without them. The important thing is to connect with God doing what works for you in the season you are in now."
Did you catch the part where he says, "I am in such need of stopping that I would be out of control without it." I find that to be true in my life as well. Even if I end up only stopping one time during my day, there's just something about stopping and remembering who I am in Jesus that keeps me centered and focused on living my life WITH Jesus. I hope you will continue to fight for this practice in your daily walk with Jesus. Next week, Lord willing, we will be back on video and talking about the practice of prayer. If I can help you in any way, please let me know!
As I am learning how to make the Daily Office a part of my life, one of the helpful things I've found is hearing how other trusted people are putting these habits in place in their own life. Today, I want you to read a short excerpt from a blog by Pete Scazzero. Pete is talking about what his Daily Office practice looks like. It's full of great insight:
DAILY OFFICES FOR ME - JULY 2008
by Pete Scazzero
*Found at emotionallyhealthy.org
"I am often asked what I do for my Daily Offices. The answer is not too complex. I generally pause 3-4 times a day – morning for a longer period, midday, evening and compline (right before going to bed). I have been meditating on and praying the Psalms now for over 3 and a half years, using the schedule found at the end of the Book of Common Prayer. I don’t keep to the daily schedule with dates but just keep moving along day by day. I think it works out to praying through the Psalter every 5-6 weeks. This is my bread and butter. I generally will take 2 ten to twenty minutes blocks of silence somewhere in my offices (almost always in the morning). I almost always have a devotional handy (like the Sayings of the Desert Fathers or Cassian) and will go through seasons of memorizing a passage or Psalm through the day (I have been on Ps. 116 for over a month). If I get restless, I will go the gospels and read them in a lectio divina way, but I find myself almost always back to the Psalms. Finally, I pray through the Lord’s Prayer 2-3 times a day during my offices. It keeps me grounded, especially about "THY WILL BE DONE" as I find my will quickly takes over during a day filled with activity! Anyway, Geri (my wife) says I am a bit legalistic. Probably so, but I am in such need of stopping that I would be out of control without it. I love the Offices and cannot imagine now living without them. The important thing is to connect with God doing what works for you in the season you are in now."
Did you catch the part where he says, "I am in such need of stopping that I would be out of control without it." I find that to be true in my life as well. Even if I end up only stopping one time during my day, there's just something about stopping and remembering who I am in Jesus that keeps me centered and focused on living my life WITH Jesus. I hope you will continue to fight for this practice in your daily walk with Jesus. Next week, Lord willing, we will be back on video and talking about the practice of prayer. If I can help you in any way, please let me know!