Weekly Practice 7/20/26
Make every effort to do or reflect upon this week’s practice with others.
Suscipe
Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,
my memory, my understanding,
and my entire will,
All I have and call my own.
You have given all to me.
To you, Lord, I return it.
Everything is yours; do with it what you will.
Give me only your love and your grace,
that is enough for me.
Scripture
James 1:9-18 NIV
Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
Practice
Examen
James seems to suggest that God’s goodness is present, no matter the circumstance we find ourselves in. Always present, but admittedly not always easy to see or feel or even believe. This week, prayerfully go back over each day to notice where you sensed yourself moving towards and away from God’s love. It will be most beneficial in the evening, looking back over your day, or first thing in the morning, reflecting on the previous day. If it helps, try out this model for the examen prayer from the Order of the Common Life:
1) Be still — Allow yourself to settle and to become aware of God’s presence.
How do I want to welcome God’s peace?
2) Give thanks — Ask God to bring to mind specific things from your day for which you can experience gratitude.
What am I grateful for today?
3) Reflect — Notice how you're coming to this time of prayer, what you experienced today and where you felt drawn throughout your day.
How do I come to this time of prayer?
Where did I feel drawn today?
What do I notice now about my day?
4) Pray — Talk with God about one or two things that came up in your reflection, and invite God to respond however God might choose.
What in my reflection seemed significant
What do I most want to talk to God about?
What might God most want to talk about?
5) Hope — Look ahead with God to the day’s remaining hours or the upcoming day.
Where will I need or desire God’s grace and loving presence?
6) Surrender — Offer yourself, the past hours and your upcoming hours to God, to use however God might desire.
What can I more fully offer to God?
How do I want to express this surrender?
Also this week, continue to incorporate the “Suscipe” into your daily time with God!
