CWC Winston Salem

Pastor Caleb continues his sermon series "The God Who Sees" by looking at the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead in John 11. Thanks for tuning in!

Evening Psalm: Psalm 118

Guided Prayer: “O most loving Father, you want us to give thanks for all things, to dread nothing but losing you, and to cast all our anxiety on you because you care for us. Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties and grant that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal and which you have shown us in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” - Prayers Ancient and Modern

Psalm: Psalm 119:9-16

Guided Prayer: May the strength of God pilot us, may the wisdom of God instruct us. May the hand of God protect us, may the word of God direct us. May thy Salvation, O Lord, be always ours this day and forevermore. Amen." - St. Augustine

Evening Psalm: Psalm 51

Guided Prayer: “I beg you, Lord, let the fiery, gentle power of your love take possession of my soul, and snatch it away from everything under heaven, that I may die for love of you as you saw fit to die for love of me.

Evening Psalm: Psalm 107

Guided Prayer: “Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, That my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, That my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, That I love but what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, To defend all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, That I always may be holy.”

-       Augustine

Evening Devotion:

Psalm: Psalm 107

Guided Prayer: “O God, early in the morning I cry to you. Help me to pray And to concentrate my thoughts on you. I cannot do this alone. In me there is darkness, but with you there is light. I am lonely, but you do not leave me. I am feeble in heart, but with you is strength. I am restless, but with you is peace. In me is bitterness, but with you is patience. I do not understand your ways, But You know the way for me. Restore me to freedom, Help me to so live now, That I may answer before You and before me. Lord, whatever this day may bring, Your name be praised!”

- Bonhoeffer

Evening Devotion

Psalm: Psalm 107

Guided Prayer: “Like the mountains that surround Jerusalem, surround us, O Lord, in moments of weakness and vulnerability. Be with us always that we may never be shaken. Protect and comfort us with the assurance of your presence in times of deepest need. Amen”

-       Reuben Job A Guide to Prayer for All Who Walk With God

Evening Psalm: Psalm 107

Examen (Prayer or Journal): On Fridays during this Lenten devotional, I would encourage you to pray a prayer of examen. A prayer of examen can be an internal dialogue with God or a journaling prayer. It follows a few prompts to help you examine your week and allow God to reveal areas in which you succeeded in and others that need his redeeming grace. It is in the same spirit as Psalm 139:1, “Yahweh, you examine me and know me.” In his book Prayer, Richard Foster describes a prayer of examen like this, 

It has two basic aspects, like two sides of a door. The first is an examen of consciousnessthrough which we discover how God has been present to us throughout the day and how we have responded to his loving presence. The second aspect is an examen of conscience in which we uncover those areas that need cleansing, purifying, and healing.

·      Quiet your mind and soul and center your thoughts on God (you can focus on saying Psalm 139:1 to help).

·      Reflect on the last week.

·      Ask God to guide your reflections to be both faithful and gracious.

·      What comes to mind? What areas have you sensed God’s presence?

o   Where did you move toward God?

o   Where did you move away from God?

·      Reset. What will be your intentions for this coming week? How will you move forward with hope?