Matthew 4:1-11 | Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
DAILY PRAYER REQUEST: Lord, teach me how to listen to you.
DAILY THOUGHT: IN SOLITUDE AND SILENCE
Desert spaces are places of solitude and silence. Without these two things it is nearly impossible to grow a listening life with God. We must remind ourselves that this kind of withdrawal is not escapism or running away from life. Rather, it leads us into a greater and more effective engagement with life. We also begin to live with a far deeper consciousness of God with us through the day. This is one reason why Jesus would regularly withdraw into the desert. Can you see why having some solitude and silence in our own little “desert space” is so important?
DAILY PRACTICE:
Withdraw to your “desert space” at the time you planned. After you have made your prayer request, as suggested above, read the story of Jesus’ desert-temptations a couple of times (Matthew 4:1–11). Then ask yourself two questions: What may God be saying to me through this story? How do I respond to this? Share your thoughts and feelings about these questions with God in prayer.