Windows of the Soul
North Window
This page contains a Bible reading, prayers and a meditation for the North Window, part of the Windows of the Soul series.
The prayers on this page are adapted from the Iona Abbey Worship Book. The meditation section draws on material from “Spirituality Workbook” by David Runcorn, published in 2006 by SPCK, London.
John 6.65-69:
He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him.”
From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
“You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.
Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”
God has told us what is good.
God has told us what is right.
We are to live justly,
We are to love kindly,
We are to walk humbly,
With our God.
You call to us, Lord God.
You call us to walk in your way.
You show us in Jesus how we should live.
You give us your Holy Spirit to keep us right.
And we are thankful.
We are here to anticipate our future with you.
We are not here to remember the good we have done,
But to prepare for what we might yet do,
By making room for the Holy Spirit
To reshape us.
So we pray
Make this time and this space a holy gathering,
An arena of grace,
A touching place.
Where Christ can be can gather us for God.
In His name we pray.
Amen
Meditation on the North Window of the Soul
Face the North Window
In northern Europe at least, the North is associated with being true and steady, it is the direction a compass needle points. Sometimes artists prefer a studio with a north-facing aspect, because the light is clear and steady.
In our culture, ‘northerness’ is often associated with a fulfilling beauty that is wild and inspiring - lands of mountains, moorlands, forests and dramatic seascapes.
However, to go there is often challenging, as it can be an austere and stern environment. For the Israelites, threat was very often associated as coming from the north.
Allow the above thinking to symbolise the light of the Holy Spirit shining into your soul, asking yourself: What are the core values in my life?
Lord, if I am going to enter into a more rewarding but challenging environment, then I pray for wisdom, honesty and the prompting of your Holy Spirit as I reflect upon this.
There will now follow three questions. Allow time to reflect on each of them.
1. What are my non-negotiable beliefs as I follow the ‘Way’ of Jesus?
The ones I cling to, even when the going gets tough.
2. What course am I setting that will keep me on the ‘Way’?
What are the practical things I do that determine my course through life, reflecting my core beliefs?
3. What holds me steady?
Who and what can I rely on to keep me from straying from the ‘Way’?
Who will help me back onto it if I do stray?
This ends the period of meditation.
If anything spoke to you, revisit it later for further reflection. And do please share with trusted friends anything you consider appropriate.
Closing prayers
Heavenly Father
We thank you for this time to stop and reflect.
May we always remember to
‘seek first his kingdom and his righteousness.’
For, you love justice.
And what you require of us, Lord God,
Is to love you more
And love peace and justice for ourselves
And our neighbours.
And we try.
And sometimes we get it right
And sometimes we fail,
But we try.
Lord Jesus, we thank you for your words,
words which summon us and give us life:
’Don’t be afraid’
’You are forgiven’
’I call you friends’
’Come and follow me’
Amen
A Prayer of Commitment
Into your hands we commit ourselves, Lord Jesus.
For your holding,
Your directing,
Your inspiring,
Your perfecting.
