Hope: Make Room for Limits
We wanted to share some Advent resources that you may find helpful throughout this season. Below you will find a breath prayer, a playlist of songs on the themes of hope and limitations, some Advent guides you may download for free, and a link to Bette Dickinson's Visio Divina practice.
One of the beautiful things about recognizing our limitations is coming to understand that what works in prayer, meditation, contemplation, and worship of God for one person might not work for another. We all behold and experience God in different ways, and that is part of the wonder and glory of following our Lord! So then, whether you utilize some, all, or none of these resources, we pray that this week you may be filled with the hope that can only be found in Jesus Christ, and that you may rejoice in learning how he already is and will continue to work in and through your limitations.
Breath Prayer:
A breath prayer is a form of prayer that involves speaking a word or short phrase while inhaling and exhaling, and is designed to help us focus our thoughts and hearts on the Lord while calming our body through regulating our breathing. This week's prayer helps us to recognize and celebrate our limits.
Inhale: God you chose limits
Exhale: So I can too
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Song Playlist:
These songs were curated with a focus on both hope and limits. We hope they are a blessing to you this week!
Apple Playlist / Spotify Playlist
1) Make Room (featuring Matt Maher) by Casting Crowns
2) When Hope Came Down by Kari Jobe
3) O Holy Night (O Night Divine) by Rend Collective
4) Come Thou Long Expected Jesus (featuring Christy Nockels) by Chris Tomlin
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Advent Guides:
If you find written guides a help as you make your way through the Advent season, these options might be of service to you. We have a link to four different options from Kate Bowler for people in various stages and seasons of life, as well as pdfs to download from Practicing the Way and Justin Whitmel Earley.
Kate Bowler Guides
Practicing the Way
Forever Embodied by Justin Whitmel Earley
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Visio Divina:
"Visio Divina" is Latin for "Divine Seeing," and is an invitation to encounter God through visual artwork. Another way of thinking about it is prayer through art. The link below is a guide to experiencing the Advent artwork of Bette Dickinson as a form of prayer.
Visio Divina: Making Room for Limits