Friday February 11, 2022

Today is Friday, February 11 and this week we are exploring what the Bible says about going deeper with God.

As I begin this time of prayer, I pause and become still. I calm my thoughts and silence my mind. I breathe slowly and deeply, and center myself upon the presence of God.

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord, I want to go deeper with you. Break new ground in my heart and enable me to experience the depths of your loving presence. Enable me to dig down further spiritually and discover untraveled paths of christian maturity through the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

I join the voices of ancient people and praise God with the words of Psalm 135.

Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing praise to his name, for that is pleasant. For the Lord has chosen Jacob to be his own, Israel to be his treasured possession. I know that the Lord is great, that our Lord is greater than all gods. The Lord does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths. Psalm 135:3-6

Pause and Pray

This week I have been exploring what it means to go deeper with God. God always leads people deeper in the spiritual life, there is always more. On the journey of faith we discover there is deeper discipleship, deeper faith, deeper understanding, deeper meaning and a deeper relationship with God. There is more of the Holy Spirit and more of God’s presence. In this passage from the gospel of Luke, Jesus sends me out into deep waters. He keeps his distance from the crowd by borrowing Simon’s boat, and then he draws Simon near to him to show him a miracle. Simon and his buddies had already been out on the water all night and they had not caught any fish. Jesus tells him to put out into deep water.

One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When Jesus had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. Luke 5:1-7

I consider what it means for me to go deeper in the spiritual life. Where are the deep waters God is inviting me to explore? What are deeper spiritual practices I have yet to discover? Where is Jesus inviting me to go that I would not choose to go on my own? I hear Jesus teaching the crowd, then he speaks directly to me, “Put out into deep water, and let down your nets for a catch.” I want to be a part of a New Church for a New World and maybe that means not continually fishing from the same shoreline, but putting out into deep waters and exploring new places to fish for people. Where are the deep waters for me? For my church? New places where people do not know Jesus Christ. A new generation who has not been told the stories of Jesus. New neighbors who recently moved to my area.

Ask: What do the “deep waters” represent for me and my life? Am I willing to obey Jesus’ instruction to put out into deep waters and explore somewhere new?

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus, thank you for calling me into a relationship just as you once called Simon Peter. I am blessed to be one of your followers. I want to gather around you and listen to your teaching. Reveal where the “deep waters” are in my life. Show me where you want me to go and what you want me to do. I trust you to guide me to the work you have for me and invite me to join in the large catch. I read the words from Luke again and listen for the message you have for me.

One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When Jesus had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. Luke 5:1-7

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

There are many images in this brief encounter with Jesus. I question which one resonates the most with my soul. God wants to convey something to me today through the power of the words of scripture. Who do I relate to the most in the story? Perhaps I am among the crowd, surrounding Jesus and listening to the word of God. Maybe I am one of the fishermen washing my nets after an unsuccessful night of my trade. Fishing is my livelihood. Perhaps I am Simon Peter or one of his companions. I put out into deep water and witness the largest catch of fish I have ever seen. My sturdy net is breaking with the weight. Maybe I am one of the partners in the other boat who comes to help. My boat is so full it begins to sink. Where are the deep waters Christ wants me to go? Who are the fish Jesus wants me to catch for him? What is my net? I record the word or phrase that stands out to me today and keep in mind God may speak to me later.

Pause and Pray

Blessed Savior, please come into the boat of my soul, sit on the throne of my heart and teach me your truths. Show me where the deep waters are and instruct me how to get there. I trust you to lead and guide me exactly where you want me to be, for I cannot navigate these waters without you. Amen.

As the man went eastward with a measuring line in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits and then led me through water that was ankle-deep. He measured off another thousand cubits and led me through water that was knee-deep. He measured off another thousand and led me through water that was up to the waist. He measured off another thousand, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in—a river that no one could cross. Ezekiel 47:3-5

As I leave this time of prayer I step out into the deep waters of the Lord, prepared to cast my net far and wide.

Amen.