Quiet Table Guide: November 9-15
Scripture for the week: Psalm 86:11-13
“Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths, from the realm of the dead.”
1. Ready Your Heart
Begin with a moment of silence or a short prayer, inviting the Holy Spirit to guide your time together.
2. Read
Slowly read this week’s passage. (Consider reading it out loud or in a different translation each day.)
3. Reflect
What word, phrase, or image stands out to you today? What in your life might the Holy Spirit be drawing your attention to?
4. Respond
How can you allow this word to shape your interactions, decisions, or perspective today? Remember what you shared with your group about what you are doing to put the word into practice.
5. Receive
Spend a few moments in stillness, surrendering your thoughts, plans, and actions to God and resting in the presence of Jesus.
6. Practice: Centering Prayer
The aim of centering prayer is to allow God to gather the scattered pieces of our attention and affection.
Here’s how to begin:
Instead of reaching for your phone or giving attention to the 100 tabs opened in your mind, soon after waking up:
Sit quietly for 3–5 minutes in the awareness of God’s presence (Pro tip: Light a candle or turn on a lamp as a sign of God’s presence)
Choose a sacred word or phrase to return to when distractions come (Examples: Jesus my peace, Jesus, my hope)
End with a simple prayer of gratitude
Centering prayer is not about emptying your mind.
It’s about filling your heart and mind with the awareness that God is near.
It’s not about control.
It’s about consent—giving God permission to be with you in whatever way God chooses and to give to you whatever God wishes.
Making room for God’s presence like this takes practice.
It’s okay to feel like you’re not very good at it.
You’re a beginner.
But try it on every day this week and pay attention to how your experience grows over time.
