Weekly Practices
Weekly Practice 5/25/26
Make every effort to do or reflect upon this week’s practice with others.
Scripture
Psalm 63 NLT
O God, you are my God;
I earnestly search for you.
My soul thirsts for you;
my whole body longs for you
in this parched and weary land
where there is no water.
I have seen you in your sanctuary
and gazed upon your power and glory.
Your unfailing love is better than life itself;
how I praise you!
I will praise you as long as I live,
lifting up my hands to you in prayer.
You satisfy me more than the richest feast.
I will praise you with songs of joy.
I lie awake thinking of you,
meditating on you through the night.
Because you are my helper,
I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings.
I cling to you;
your strong right hand holds me securely.
But those plotting to destroy me will come to ruin.
They will go down into the depths of the earth.
They will die by the sword
and become the food of jackals.
But the king will rejoice in God.
All who swear to tell the truth will praise him,
while liars will be silenced.
Poem
“LXIII Deus, Deus meus” by Malcolm Guite
For love lifts time into eternity,
Kisses each passing moment into life,
Gives us a glimpse of your unfading glory.
We fall away like every falling leaf
But even as we fall we yearn for you.
Our prayers are passing and our blessings brief,
Yet each one reaches deeply into you
For you yourself are reaching into us
To breathe your life in us and make us new;
The barren wasteland is made glorious
With blossoms, breathing an eternal spring
And even as this first world fades from us,
We step into the true world and we sing
A joyful song, for there at last we see
Our heart’s desire: our risen Lord and King.
Practice
A Posture of “Yes”
Saying “yes” to Jesus can be a moment of decision, a step of discernment and obedience into a holy invitation. Most of the time, it’s simply keeping your heart and mind and body aimed towards God. It’s prayer without ceasing. It’s abiding. It’s something only possible as the Holy Spirit enables you. A posture of continual “yes” before God is what prepares you for the moments when decisions must be made.
This week, be simple and persistent with your “yes” to Jesus. Start each morning with him: silence, scripture, prayer. Set times throughout each day to pause and recenter in his presence. This shouldn’t be a big flex, but it does take sincere effort. Ask God to help you to remain in him. Trust that his power shines even brighter when he works within our limitations.
Accompanying soundtrack
Here are a couple of songs to go along with this week’s practice:
God You Are My God by Delirious?
Malibu by Mumford and Sons
The Shadow Proves the Sunshine by Switchfoot
Weekly Practice 5/18/26
Make every effort to do or reflect upon this week’s practice with others.
Scriptures
Acts 1:15-26 NLT
During this time, when about 120 believers were together in one place, Peter stood up and addressed them. “Brothers,” he said, “the Scriptures had to be fulfilled concerning Judas, who guided those who arrested Jesus. This was predicted long ago by the Holy Spirit, speaking through King David. Judas was one of us and shared in the ministry with us.”
(Judas had bought a field with the money he received for his treachery. Falling headfirst there, his body split open, spilling out all his intestines. The news of his death spread to all the people of Jerusalem, and they gave the place the Aramaic name Akeldama, which means “Field of Blood.”)
Peter continued, “This was written in the book of Psalms, where it says, ‘Let his home become desolate, with no one living in it.’ It also says, ‘Let someone else take his position.’
“So now we must choose a replacement for Judas from among the men who were with us the entire time we were traveling with the Lord Jesus— from the time he was baptized by John until the day he was taken from us. Whoever is chosen will join us as a witness of Jesus’ resurrection.”
So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. Then they all prayed, “O Lord, you know every heart. Show us which of these men you have chosen as an apostle to replace Judas in this ministry, for he has deserted us and gone where he belongs.” Then they cast lots, and Matthias was selected to become an apostle with the other eleven.
Matthew 6:31-34 NLT
“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Practice
Say “Yes” Today
Maybe you know exactly what God is calling you to do right now, and you’re actively partnering with him. If so, keep at it! But maybe you find yourself unsure. Maybe you haven’t really taken the time to pay attention and listen. Or maybe you have, and you’re still coming up short. The disciples were waiting for the Holy Spirit. They didn’t really know what to expect. Not exactly. In the meantime, though, they pray and feel led to replace Judas. A small “yes” as they wait for the big thing Jesus prepared them for.
This week, take saying “yes” to God one day at a time. If he gives you something bigger than that, awesome. But it’s when we take our eyes off of daily abiding in his love and direction that we usually lose the way. Consider starting each day by asking:
How can I seek your Kingdom today?
How can I live righteously today?
Wide Awake
If you missed this last Sunday, our friend Jed Johnson shared about the ministry he and his wife, Kim, started in Ukraine in 2013. The mission of Wide Awake International is to bring dignity, love, and hope to boys and men with disabilities in the Zhytomyr region of Ukraine. Wide Awake is one of the ministries Trellis partners with through financial support. Here are some other ways we can support them:
Prayer—For the Johnson family, for their team, for their work, for the boys and men they serve, for Ukraine.
Stay Connected—Sign up for their newsletter to learn more and get updates.
Donate—Consider supporting Wide Awake financially.
We’ll be sharing some other ways to partner with Wide Awake in the coming weeks!
Weekly Practice 5/11/26
Make every effort to do or reflect upon this week’s practice with others.
Scriptures
Luke 1:26-38 NLT
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!”
Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”
Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”
The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. For the word of God will never fail.”
Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.
Acts 1:14 NLT
They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus.
Practice
Say “Yes”
Mary knew what saying “yes” to God meant. When told she has been handpicked to be the Messiah’s mom, she assents: “I’m God’s servant. Bring it on.” And here she is after the ascent of her son, still saying “yes” to his Kingdom Come. It’s hard to imagine another individual who has had their life so thoroughly defined by their “yes” to God.
This week, be like Mary. Say “yes” to God. As you’ve spent time in examen prayer this last week, what have you noticed about your life? Your soul? Do you sense God inviting you to anything? Something to take up? Something to lay down? Something to return to? If you need to spend more time listening, do it. Leaning towards God, wherever you are, is a “yes.”
Accompanying soundtrack
These songs by Jess Ray are perfect for this week: