Quiet Table Guide: April 19-25
Scripture for the week: Acts 2:1-21, 33-47
“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: 'No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.' Peter replied, 'Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, for all whom the Lord our God will call.' They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.“
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?
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: Waiting and Watching
This week the invitation is to practice a single prayer every morning before the noise of the day begins.
Before you open your phone, before the calendar and the list and the demands of the day arrive, take sixty seconds. Open your hands, literally and physically, in your lap. And pray these three words:
Come, Holy Spirit.
Let that prayer be specific. Work through it slowly.
Come into the parts I think I have already figured out.
Come into the parts I am still trying to manage without you.
Come into the relationships I have been navigating on my own.
Come into the fear I have not named to anyone.
Come into the decision I have already made but have not included you in.
Come into the room I have kept locked.
At the end of the week, reflect on these questions: Where did you notice resistance in your own heart as you prayed? Was there a room you were unwilling to open? What did it feel like to simply be open rather than to perform or produce? And is there one area of your life where you are ready to stop managing and start yielding?
