The Healing Journey: Escalation

The Healing Journey

A healing journey through the 40 days of Lent

Throughout Lent, Rev. Dr. Randall Partin will be preaching on how to repair the broken relationships in our lives. On Ash Wednesday, he preached on Escalation, and gave the following "homework" to the congregation to reflect on ways they can choose de-escalation instead of escalation in trying conversations. Click here to watch the Ash Wednesday service.

Prayer

Lord, only you can bring true healing to our lives.

There is so much in this world that is broken,

So much that needs your healing touch.

We offer the relationships in our lives to you.

During these 40 days, help us to journey with you to healing.

Show us those places in our lives and in our harts that are broken.

Bring to mind those relationships that need your healing grace.

Restore us in your love.

Heal us with your touch.

Bring peace to our brokenness.

Amen.

The Healing Journey Reflection Points:

• Think about a time in which a conversation or situation escalated. What could you have done differently in that situation (especially reflecting on ways in which prayerful listening might have helped)? How could you use this experience to help you to respond differently in the future?

• List the name of someone you want to forgive who has hurt you in a situation that escalated: _____________. Pray for this person and this relationship. What steps do you need to take next?

• Prayerfully watch the next few days for those times in which situations could escalate and stop. Pray. Ask God to slow your words and help you to listen, prayerfully.

Scripture Reflection: Philippians 2:5-8 (NRSV)

 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,

 who, though he was in the form of God,     did not regard equality with God     as something to be exploited,  but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave,     being born in human likeness. And being found in human form,    he humbled himself     and became obedient to the point of death—     even death on a cross.

Adapted by St. John’s UMC from resources created by Rev. Roger R. Sonnenberg