The Prayer of the Lamb: a form of Christian Meditation

"Jesus, Lamb of God, have mercy on us." This simple prayer in the tradition of the Orthodox Jesus Prayer offers universal intercession for the needs of the world, a Prayer of the Heart that can be prayed without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17, Ephesians 6:18), and a personal and communal prayer practice that opens the heart to realization of the abundant Mercy of God, the Resurrection Life of Jesus, and the transforming process of Holy Spirit.

Saturday, December 15, 2018

Community of the Lamb Annual Report 2018

December 2018

Advent Hope and the Joy of Christmas

This last year has been a year of incredible change. Last year I wrote that I wanted to simplify my life, attempt to retire again, while still continuing this ministry of the Community of the Lamb. I have been open to where the Resurrection Presence of the Holy Spirit might be leading me. And to my surprise I am now living in Spokane with new ministry opening up for the Community of the Lamb.

The two on-going Prayer of the Lamb meditation groups are continuing strong, and I travel back across the state on a monthly basis to be with them. At the same time I have had our first introductory seminar here in Spokane already, and a basic 12 session course has begun. There are several other possibilities here for further groups and retreats. So there has been a resurgence and expansion for teaching the Prayer of the Lamb.

Another development with significance for the Community of the Lamb comes with the closure of the Center for Spiritual Development in Seattle as a nonprofit corporation. It was through CSD that I was able to learn meditation from the Rev. Jerry Hanna and have him supervise my two year study of meditation out of which emerged the Community of the Lamb. CSD has completed its mission and life cycle, yet some of us who have benefited from the meditation retreats want to continue. So the Board for CSD approached the Board for the Community of the Lamb with a proposal that we were happy to accept.

The Center for Spiritual Development Bylaws stipulated that residual funds were to go to a non-profit whose purpose was similar. Our Board has approved and accepted their proposal that these funds be used for subsidizing future meditation retreats. Our accountant will track the expenditure of the funds from CSD, and these funds will be available to both CSD and Community of the Lamb meditators. Plans are already underway for a five day meditation retreat in March. More information will follow.

So welcome to all of you from the CSD mailing list receiving this annual letter from the Community of the Lamb. And for all of you who have participated and supported the ministry of the Community of the Lamb I again encourage you to continue the service of meditation and intercession for the healing and transforming of a suffering world. I am continually encouraged by what many of you have shared with me about how meditation has had a transforming affect in your own lives. Would you join with us as we continue this ministry for 2018?

The Community of the Lamb mission statement: to teach and guide Christian communities and individuals in the intercessory practice of the Prayer of the Lamb for opening the heart to the healing and transforming power of Jesus.

A blessed Feast of the Holy Nativity to you all!

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2025 Course Offerings

At West Central Abbey Meeting Monday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30 PM in the Chapel. 1832 W. Dean Ave., Spokane Regular weekly meditation sessions for meditators of all levels. Each session is self-contained. Reflection on meditation practice in light of a short selection from one of the Gospels supports personal meditation work. Drop ins welcomed. Also new for 2025 I am looking at offering a daytime meditation on another day. All those interested can email me about preferred week days at bhosea@mac.com. Contact Beverly for information re. dates and classes. bhosea@mac.com ******************************************************************** Other Current Meditation Groups Contact Beverly Hosea for on-line meditation group options.

What is the Prayer of the Lamb

To intercede, at its root meaning, is to go among, to intervene.

Our Lord Jesus Christ encourages us to intercede for the needs of the world that he has taken into the embrace of his love.

We have assurance through Christ’s presence and grace that when we pray we are united spiritually with him to heal and transform ourselves and those who suffer on this planet.

Indeed, our prayers are effective as they affirm that all of creation is of God. Further, in prayer we live out the all-powerful redemptive act of Christ, the Lamb of God, that has been initiated in us through baptism.

In this way Christ has lifted us above time and history and into his realm that with him we may live his ministry of eternal intercession.

The ministry of intercession offers prayers for the whole world.

Consider a liturgy in which faithful persons gather at the Holy Table to offer their intercessions through silence and the mental recitation of a simple prayer -

"Jesus, Lamb of God, have mercy on us."

The persons themselves become vessels of intercession, each person a place where intercession is occurring, an offering and living sacrifice on behalf of the whole world.

Community of the Lamb Offerings for congregations and individuals:

OPPORTUNITIES FOR CONGREGATIONS

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Beverly Hosea is available for consultation with clergy and congregational leaders for designing presentations on the Prayer of the Lamb, Introductory Seminars, 12 Week Groups, meditational study of the Gospels, seminars, retreats, and group spiritual direction on a weekly, biweekly or monthly basis. Each are structured to the needs of each parish and groupings of participants, and include instruction in the meditational use of the Prayer of the Lamb.

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ESTABLISHING A PRAYER OF THE LAMB MEDITATION GROUP IN YOUR CONGREGATION

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As this ministry of the Community of the Lamb continues to develop, we are finding that people can easily join an ongoing Prayer of the Lamb group or attend a retreat day without prior instruction. In reality teaching the basic practice of the Prayer of the Lamb can be done in a few minutes. The meditation group becomes the steady resource to support those who are new to the practice along with individual meditation instruction with Beverly. Contact the Executive Director to explore how a Prayer of the Lamb meditation group can coordinate with your congregation’s existing programs of spiritual formation. Call 206-713-5321 or email PrayeroftheLamb1@mac.com.

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INDIVIDUAL INSTRUCTION IN PRAYING WITH THE PRAYER OF THE LAMB

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Individual sessions for instruction in the basic practice of this meditational prayer are available by appointment with Beverly Hosea. Three private sessions provide introduction to the Prayer of the Lamb, guided practice for clarifying and supporting beginning experience with the Prayer, and evaluation for discernment about taking up this prayer practice.

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INDIVIDUAL SPIRITUAL DIRECTION/GUIDANCE

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Many people find an individual relationship with a spiritual counselor/guide/director a valuable resource for personal spiritual growth, integration of practice with life experience and deepening of faith. Beverly Hosea is available by appointment for exploring with you the elements of a rule of life to support the process of life integration.

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Praying with the beads:

Hold the beads loosely in either hand between the thumb and first two fingers. Rest the garland on the thumb and second finger, and use the first finger to reach forward to the next bead and draw it toward yourself. Pray the Prayer in rhythm with the movement of the beads at a gentle and unhurried pace.

Example:
1. Pray “Jesus” as you reach forward to the next bead.
2. Pray “Lamb of God” as you pull that bead toward yourself.
3. Pray “have mercy” as you reach forward for the next bead.
4. Pray “on us” as you pull that bead toward you.

Rhythms may vary. Pick a pattern that fits for you. Be aware of how you are holding the beads, loosening your grip if you notice it becoming tight, slowing down if you find you are speeding it up. Keep a light touch. The more subtle and easy the motion, the more you will foster a sensitive awareness to what is happening in your body with the Prayer. You may find that when attention has gone to passing thoughts, the hand will get more vigorous with the beads. So noticing this and easing up with the hand will help bring awareness back to the Prayer.

The Prayer of the Lamb is a faith practice. We offer the Prayer as intercession for the world, trusting that it is the Spirit of the Resurrection Jesus who is at work; it is God’s mercy that is flowing abundantly. We are simply the place where intercession is occurring.