Free & Fit - Summer with the Psalms - Wednesday 31st July Psalm 61
Summer with the Psalms
Wednesday 31st July Psalm 61
“Hear my cry, O God; Listen to my prayer. From the end of the earth I call to You, when my heart is overwhelmed and weak; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I [a rock that is too high to reach without Your help]. For You have been a shelter and a refuge for me, A strong tower against the enemy. Let me dwell in Your tent forever; Let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings. Selah. For You have heard my vows, O God; You have given me the inheritance of those who fear Your name [with reverence]. You will prolong the king’s life [adding days upon days]; His years will be like many generations. He will sit enthroned forever before [the face of] God; Appoint lovingkindness and truth to watch over and preserve him. So I will sing praise to Your name forever, Paying my vows day by day.”
Psalms 61:1-8 AMP
Psalm Prayer & Reflection
The art of listening, of course, is crucial to the health of any person in a committed relationship. A marriage cannot be sustained without the ability to listen to your spouse. In the same way, listening is an essential component for those in religious life. As God listens to our prayers, so we are called to listen to our brothers and sisters, to those whom we have dedicated our lives to.
But, we are also human, and sometimes we have a hard time listening.
There is something to be said, then, of listening within the spiritual life, in a life of prayer. Just as it is difficult to hear what the other is saying, so is it difficult for us to truly listen to what God is trying to tell us.
Sometimes, we are not attentive to what God is trying to share. Other times, we become hostile to His words, even if they are the exact words we need to hear. We are all loved by God, but sometimes that love manifests itself as a sort of "tough love." It challenges us to look at where we are straying, what we need to be doing differently.
"If today you hear His voice, harden not your hearts." (Hebrews 3:15).
God does not give up on us, though. God's Eternal Word continues to speak to us, dwells deep within us, continually beckoning to be heard. That love, that everlasting gift, is intimately shared with us and takes root if we are receptive to it and allow it to be planted in our hearts.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1).
Let us pray, then, that we may form hearts and minds that seek to listen and hear in the way of Christ. Let us pray for that openness to one another, that we may listen not with judging ears, but ones of charity and understanding. And, let us pray that we may always be receptive and open to God's word, having faith that it brings great light and life to ourselves and to our world.
Closing Prayer
Give us, O Lord, a steadfast heart, which no unworthy affection may drag downwards; give us an unconquered heart, which no tribulation can wear out; give us an upright heart, which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside. Bestow upon us also, O Lord our God, understanding to know you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, and a faithfulness that may finally embrace you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
― Thomas Aquinas
“So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord.”
Lamentations 3:26 NLT
Reach out to us and sign up via www.freenfit.org
Free & Fit Mission
The mission of Free & Fit is to share the Love of Jesus through serving the community in Sports, the Arts, Outreach & Service.
Free & Fit Vision
The vision of free and fit is to engage, motivate, improve and help members find freedom in physical and spiritual ways.We believe physical freedom leads to a peaceful heart; leads to a healthy body and an all round healthy state of spiritual well being.
Twitter&Instagram: @freeandfitnyc
Full details of our Release and Waiver here: https://www.freenfit.org/post/free-fit-nyc-exercise-participation-in-online-sessions-release-waive
Thank you for reading and agreeing to these terms.
Please email any questions to:
Sign up to our events online: www.freenfit.org
Freedom // Fitness // Fellowship
Free & Fit Challenge © Copyright 2024
Free & Fit NYC/NJ © Copyright 2024
Free & Fit London © Copyright 2024
Free & Fit CLT © Copyright 2024
Comments