Script
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Jesus says, ‘all this is only the beginnings of something being brought to life’ (Matthew 24: 8).
To begin…
I name what is changing for me. It might be something in myself, how I see myself or my life.
Perhaps it’s a time of transition – of moving from one place to another. Maybe it’s a shift in relationships – with family, friends. Or a change in health or my wellbeing. This prayer trusts that God is already at work for good in my life.
I settle into prayer in whatever way is helpful and take time to imagine myself with Jesus.
Jesus and I choose a place to be as we settle in to explore this particular time with kindness and openness. Then I imagine Jesus begins by speaking these words to me:
“After the Sabbath, and towards dawn on the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala and the other Mary went to visit the tomb. And all at once there was a violent earthquake, for the angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled away the stone and sat on it. His face was like lightning, his robe white as snow. The guards were so frightened of him that they were like dead men. But the angel spoke; and he said to the women, ‘There is no need to be afraid. I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here for he has risen, as he said he would. Come and see the place where he lay, then go quickly and tell his disciples, “He has risen from the dead and now is going before you; it is there you will see him”. Now I have told you. Filled with awe and great joy the women came quickly away from the tomb and ran to tell the disciples.”
I hear Jesus say, ‘All this is only the beginnings of something being brought to life’ (Matthew 24: 8). I notice any feelings that arise as I hear Jesus speaking of this time of transition for him.
I imagine Jesus inviting my gaze towards the angel in this story.
I notice that the stone, which the angel moved and now sits on, had been lying at the precise place where new life began. With the stone rolled away, Jesus, once laid in the tomb, steps out alive. I imagine that moment. I might ask Jesus about that? How did that feel?
Now the focus turns towards me as Jesus asks about this time of change in my life. I tell him how it is. I notice where I find myself in this change – whether in the tomb, or watching the stone begin to move away or stepping out of the tomb or ...
Together we ponder about where God might be at work, acting for my good.
We might begin to notice the messengers that show God’s goodness, kindness and love, acting as angels in my life, an unexpected support, a trusted companion, beauty in nature, a surprising event or something else.
What might these ‘angels’ want to show me at this time? How am I receiving these messages? I ponder these questions:
• What feels possible now?
• What might yet need to be rolled away? Unblocked?
• What feels more important now? And less important?
Jesus and I talk together. What might Jesus want me to see; to know?
I breathe in the good already at work in my life and the ‘angels’ I have noticed.
Finally, I relax and settle into stillness knowing that I can rest, be at peace, feel secure in the presence of Jesus. I hear again the words:
‘Do not be afraid’
‘All this is only the beginnings of something being brought to life’.
I breath in these words and let them flow through me (maybe over and over).
I give thanks for whatever I have experienced and bring my prayer to a close.