This is a meditation practice that I created for myself as part of my GTD weekly review. I already have my list of values, which is fairly static but I’ve adapted it for use with a group who may not have written out such a list.
1. Hand out blank note cards and pencils
2. “This is a prayer technique that I accidentally discovered recently and I’ve found it really helps me, so I hope it will work for you too. First, I’d like to to write the numbers 1 – 10 down the right hand side of the card, because we’re going to make a list. We won’t be sharing these this is just for your own use. Take a minute or two to write down ten concepts, ideas, emotions, etc. that you value. I think this exercise works best if you use big abstract concepts, like Joy or Peace. It doesn’t have to be the top ten, it’s just those things that come to mind including those two I just mentioned if you’d like. You can also write qualities that you appreciate in yourself and others, hopes you have for the world, etc. The only rule is that it needs to be somewhat abstract.”
3. Wait until everyone has their lists written.
4. “Ok it looks like we’re all done. We’re going to be doing a kind of confession and forgiveness with this list spending a minute or so reflecting on each item. When I do this, lots of other ideas of things I want to remember pop into my head and distract me, so I just write them down. When that happens to you just grab another note card and write it down to get it off your mind.”
5. “When I do this, for each value I first think of the ways I’ve lived into that value in recent memory. What have I said or done that has put more of this value into the world? or What choices have I made a certain way because of this value? For example, one of my values is Love so I might think about the fact that I talked to my mother on the phone recently.”
6. “Then I reflect on all the ways in recent memory that I have fallen short and not lived up to this value either. What I’ve done or failed to do, said or failed to say. Some of the things may have been unavoidable, for example you had plans to have dinner with an old friend but you had to cancel at the last minute because that was the only time that worked for everyone for an important committee meeting. Those are important for me to think about because although I may feel bad about going against my values, I tend not to confess something as a sin unless I feel like I had another option.”
7. “As we go through each item, we’ll do corporate confession and absolution before moving on to the next one, and we’ll end with a prayer. Ok?”
8. “The Lord be with you…Glory be to the Father, and the Son +, and the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen”
9. “I invite you to look at the first value on your list. God has called you to help create this value in the world. How have you lived into this value recently? Reflect on the ways that you have followed that call.”
10. Wait 30 seconds and ring bell (singing bowl, something like that).
11. Flip your own card over and take two full breaths while still looking at the group.
12. Flip the card back over.
13. “Now look at the first value on your list. God has called you to help create this value in the world. How have you not lived into this value recently? Reflect on the ways that you have failed to follow that call.”
14. Wait 30 seconds and ring bell (singing bowl, something like that).
15. Flip your own card over and take two full breaths while still looking at the group.
16. “Gracious God, I confess that I am in bondage to sin and cannot free myself. I have not lived up to the values that you have placed in my heart. Please forgive me.”
17. “God has walked in our midst in Christ Jesus, and he laid down his life so that we may know that God’s grace, mercy, and love for us have no limit. For his sake I declare to you that all these sins are forgiven. Amen.”
Repeat steps 9 – 17
18. “Let us pray. Dear God, thank you for all the things to call us to. Thank you for giving us the ability to follow your call. Thank you for the gift of grace when we don’t. In the coming week remind us of your presence and fill our hearts with your peace. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
19. “Go in peace, you are saved by God’s grace.” Thanks be to God
20. “Let’s share a sign of God’s peace together.”
