Inner Peace in Divine Love Retreat

 

Week Two – Dwelling in Love

Ex 7 – I dwell in the love of the Father

 

Preparation
I take a relaxed position with a straight back, my body poised for prayer. I make a gesture of reverence and humility.

Opening Prayer
I ask for the grace to direct my whole self toward the Father.

Desire
I desire to dwell in the love of the Father.

Prayer
I use my imagination to re-create the scene of the last supper room with Jesus and the men and women who were his disciples . Then I take my place at the table. After everyone has eaten, I listen to Jesus address me personally. Slowly reading the prayer text, I consider what he wants for me from his Father. I allow each of his desires to seep into my soul.

In response, I abide in Jesus while saying to him, gently and often, each of the desiring statements below for a few minutes each:

I dwell in your love.

I am one in you.

I am at home in you.

Conversation
I end my prayer with the Our Father.

Prayer Texts

 

Father, I ask not only on behalf of these,

but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word,

that they may all be one.

As you, Father, are in me and I am in you,

may they also be in us,

so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

The glory that you have given me I have given them,

so that they may be one, as we are one,

I in them and you in me,

that they may become completely one,

so that the world may know that you have sent me

and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me,

may be with me where I am,

to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me

before the foundation of the world.

(Jn 17:20–24)

 

Time: 25 Minutes
Preparation: 5 minutes. Opening Prayer: 1 minute. Desire: 1 minute. Prayer: 15 minutes. Conversation: 3 minutes. Listening Book: 10 minutes.

 

For greater guidance, depth and practical use of this exercise and retreat, source the First Spiritual Exercises here.

Your responsible agreement is necessary for printing and use of this exercise:

I agree give the FSE to others without cost.
I agree to use the attribution: First Spiritual Exercises © Michael Hansen  Ave Maria Press
I agree to embody the FSE Code of Ethics and the The FSE Golden Rules.
I agree to create a FSE Safety Net before giving the FSE retreats.