The Society of Jesus
in Belize
Looking Underneath Our Behavior
Preparing to Pray
1. Take three deep breaths, allowing yourself to be fully present.
2. Speak to the Lord, telling him that you are dedicating the next fifteen minutes to be with Him.
3. Ask for the grace you desire:
I ask God to give me the gift of honesty, to look at my life as it is, and to see clearly the choices I make.
4. Consider the following points:
When we look underneath the patterns of sin in our lives, we often find that there are deep forces that drive them and keep us locked in the patterns. Sometimes we find that we have needs that aren’t getting met, or we might have old hurts or wounds that still have not healed. Until we recognize those underlying forces, and until we allow God to heal them, we are like the Gerasene Demoniac: chained up, crying out, and dwelling among the dead. Are we ready to have Jesus set us free from these deep currents?
Prayer
Scripture:
Mark 5:1-20 “The man had been dwelling among the tombs, and no one could restrain him any longer, even with a chain.”
We suggest that you pray this text using Ignatian Contemplation. Pay close attention to the look on Jesus’ face as he heals the man. Perhaps, if you feel drawn to do so, you might put yourself in the place of the demoniac and watch Jesus as he sets you free.
Review your prayer
Take a few minutes to reflect on and journal about the following:
What are the forces underneath the sinful patterns in my life? Are there needs that aren’t getting met, old wounds in need of healing, or perhaps even fear or shame? If you are honest with yourself, are you ready to let Christ heal you, or do you feel that you still cling to some of these underlying forces? Take two minutes to talk with Jesus about what you wrote. What would you like to ask him?
... or else write down any moments of consolation or desolation you encountered in your prayer.
Speak with the Lord, as one friend to another, about whatever came up in your prayer.
End with an Our Father or a Hail Mary.