A Word with the Pastor
A Prayer of Longing
March 7, 2024
“Discernment” is the word of the season! Between all the happenings of church life as well as Rev. Lowell and Rev. Ethan’s departures, plus Drew’s work with the Board of Ordained ministry, we throw around the word discernment around here every day!
When the cabinet make clergy appointments, they don’t say that they’ve “decided” or that they “think it’s best” that a clergy person goes to a specific church. The cabinet shares that they have discerned the appointment. The work of the Board of Ordained Ministry is to discern whether candidates are ready for the next stage of ordained ministry.
The first Oxford Languages definition of discernment is ‘the ability to judge well.’ The second Oxford Languages definition of discernment is labeled for Christian contexts specifically as ‘perception in the absence of judgment with a view to obtaining spiritual guidance and understanding.’
It’s kind of a mouthful, but this deeper meaning of discernment is most relevant to us as a people of faith.
When we discern, we seek to gain insight, to release judgment, and to understand where the Holy Spirit is moving in and around us. In discernment we aren’t simply making a decision; we are seeking to know how God would have us move.
Discernment, like Sabbath, is a constant. It is a muscle that we exercise in all aspects and times of our life and not just something we pull out occasionally. When we neglect that muscle, it can become harder to see and to follow where God is leading us.
Discernment muscle exercises were one primary aspect of my renewal time. I focused on several spiritual practices I want to share with you. One that Parish Conference did this week is a Prayer of Longing; so much of discernment is finding what it is that you and God long for.
This practice was developed by Marjorie Hoyer-Smith, adapted by Andy Dreitcer, and drawn from the Augustinian tradition.
When the cabinet make clergy appointments, they don’t say that they’ve “decided” or that they “think it’s best” that a clergy person goes to a specific church. The cabinet shares that they have discerned the appointment. The work of the Board of Ordained Ministry is to discern whether candidates are ready for the next stage of ordained ministry.
The first Oxford Languages definition of discernment is ‘the ability to judge well.’ The second Oxford Languages definition of discernment is labeled for Christian contexts specifically as ‘perception in the absence of judgment with a view to obtaining spiritual guidance and understanding.’
It’s kind of a mouthful, but this deeper meaning of discernment is most relevant to us as a people of faith.
When we discern, we seek to gain insight, to release judgment, and to understand where the Holy Spirit is moving in and around us. In discernment we aren’t simply making a decision; we are seeking to know how God would have us move.
Discernment, like Sabbath, is a constant. It is a muscle that we exercise in all aspects and times of our life and not just something we pull out occasionally. When we neglect that muscle, it can become harder to see and to follow where God is leading us.
Discernment muscle exercises were one primary aspect of my renewal time. I focused on several spiritual practices I want to share with you. One that Parish Conference did this week is a Prayer of Longing; so much of discernment is finding what it is that you and God long for.
This practice was developed by Marjorie Hoyer-Smith, adapted by Andy Dreitcer, and drawn from the Augustinian tradition.
Allow for yourself to grow quiet. Read Psalm 42:1-2 several times, slowly. Memorize it if you like, and repeat to yourself.
Psalm 42:1-2
As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
For reflection:
- Allow the Psalm to intermingle with your own thoughts.
- In what ways does it speak to your longing and need for God?
- In what ways does it speak to your longing and need to live a life for God?
- In what ways does it speak to your sense of vocation?
Now, we’ll pray a different way. Your name will go into all the blanks below. Read the Psalm several times, slowly, as if God were speaking to you directly. Let it sink in. Memorize it if you like. Repeat it to yourself.
Augustinian Style Prayer (transposition of the Psalm, God speaking to you)
As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O _______________. My soul thirsts for ________________, for the living ________________.
For reflection:
- Is it possible to say to yourself, I believe God longs for the living me, just as my soul longs for the living God? What is it like to consider God’s need for you?
It was this spiritual practice, this Prayer of Longing, that stuck with me as I sought renewal, and it is the prayer that brought me back refreshed and comforted in the presence of a God who longs for me, for you, to have life, and to have life abundant.
As you enter the Prayer of Longing, I’d love to hear what comes up for you. What do you long for? What does God long for in you?
Peace, Pastor Karyn
As you enter the Prayer of Longing, I’d love to hear what comes up for you. What do you long for? What does God long for in you?
Peace, Pastor Karyn
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