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Rule of Life: Aligning with Psalm 37 for Spiritual Practices

Discover how to create a rule of life based on Psalm 37. Explore the elements of prayer, scripture, rest, work, relationships, and simplicity to cultivate spiritual practices in your daily life.

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Rule of Life: Aligning with Psalm 37 for Spiritual Practices

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  1. Spiritual Practices #5 The Elements of A Rule of Life Psalm 37 verses 1 to 26

  2. Don’t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong.2 For like grass, they soon fade away. Like spring flowers, they soon wither. 3 Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. 5 Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.6 He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn,    and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun. 7 Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act.Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. 8 Stop being angry! Turn from your rage!Do not lose your temper - it only leads to harm.9 For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the Lord will possess the land. 10 Soon the wicked will disappear. Though you look for them, they will be gone.11 The lowly will possess the land and will live in peace and prosperity. 12 The wicked plot against the godly; they snarl at them in defiance.13 But the Lord just laughs, for he sees their day of judgment coming.

  3. 14 The wicked draw their swords and string their bows to kill the poor and the oppressed, to slaughter those who do right.15 But their swords will stab their own hearts, and their bows will be broken. 16 It is better to be godly and have little than to be evil and rich.17 For the strength of the wicked will be shattered,    but the Lord takes care of the godly. 18 Day by day the Lord takes care of the innocent,    and they will receive an inheritance that lasts forever.19 They will not be disgraced in hard times; even in famine they will have more than enough. 20 But the wicked will die. The Lord’s enemies are like flowers in a field -    they will disappear like smoke. 21 The wicked borrow and never repay, but the godly are generous givers.22 Those the Lord blesses will possess the land, but those he curses will die. 23 The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.24 Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand. 25 Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned    or their children begging for bread.26 The godly always give generous loans to others, and their children are a blessing.

  4. A “rule” of life – from the Greek word for ”trellis” (structure)

  5. PRAYER • Scripture • Silence & solitude • Prayer pattern (Daily Office) REST • Sabbath • Play & recreation • Simplicity WORK/ACTIVITY • Service and mission • Study or spiritual direction • Physical health (Diet, exercise, rest) RELATIONSHIPS • Family • Community (faith companions) • Emotional health

  6. PRAYER 1. Developing a pattern of prayer) Some goals might be: Pray the Lords prayer twice during a day at work Spend 5 minutes in silence at lunchtime Before you go to sleep, 3 nights a week, review your day, asking where did you live well, when did you sense God’s presence and guidance, where did you need God’s help (Prayer of Examen.) Fast for one meal a week Practising the presence of God Journaling for 5-10 minutes a day

  7. Another goal might be a pattern of intercession, • to pray for a different topic each day of the week • Monday - for world events • Tuesday - for world mission and mission partners you know • Wednesday - for our government & local bodies • Thursday - for our family & friends • Friday - for the poor, hungry, refugees, unemployed, exploited • Saturday - for your church & other local churches • Sunday – a day off

  8. 2. Scripture Regular Bible reading through which God speaks, by using: • Bible reading notes • Bible in a year • Lectiodivina – contemplative reading • African/Lambeth Bible study method • Memorising verses 3. Silence and Solitude Solitude is the practice of being absent from people and things so as to attend to God. Silence is the practice of quieting every inner and outer voice so as to attend to God. “Be still before the Lord and patiently wait on him.” Ps 37 v7

  9. REST • Sabbath The practice of having one day off work per week, off both our employment AND our household chores. Four aspects of Sabbath – stop, rest, delight, contemplate Ask “What activities bring me joy & delight? What replenishes me? Treat holidays as Sabbath. 2. Play and recreation Engage in regular activities that are refreshing, healthy & enjoyable. “Life can be hard so have fun whenever you can to the glory of God.”

  10. 3. Simplicity • Declutter our lives • Aim to do less to do it better • “Live simply that others may simply live” • Being generous • Being good stewards of both our and the world’s resources

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