Opening Prayer Led by Group Facilitator

Psalm 123

Pray the Psalm together aloud, alternating verses between two sides.  When finished, share reflections on the Psalm as a group

1  To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens!

2  Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, till he have mercy upon us.

3  Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us, for we have had more than enough of contempt.

4  Too long our soul has been sated with the scorn of those who are at ease, the contempt of the proud.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.

God's Covenant with Abram

Genesis 14-15

1.       What appears to be the goal of the war between the “kings”? How does it involve Abram’s Family?

2.       How does Abram respond to injury to his family? How does this inform a Patriarch’s temporal responsibilities? Abram “led forth his trained men, born in his house.” How are you training those in your house and those that look to you for leadership? How are you being trained?

3.       Melchizedek blesses Abram. How does Abram bless the priest? How does this inform a Patriarch’s temporal responsibilities?

4.       The Lord promises Abram, “your reward will be very great.” What does Abram really want? How does his response encourage your own prayer?

5.       What is the significance for St. Paul of Genesis 15:6 (cf Romans 4; Galatians 3)?

6.       What is the significance of the timing of the LORD’S revelation in Genesis 15:12-13? Does this reveal anything about God’s revelation in a Patriarch’s life and prayer?

Resolutions

Choose a resolution for this week from the suggestions below or make your own.  Tap on a resolution to email it to yourself:

1.    I will call a family member I have not spoken with for a long time.
2.    I will discuss with my wife how we can bless the Church with a greater offering of our money or time.
3.    I will invite our parish priest into our home for dinner.
4.    I will voice my greatest desires to God during adoration.
5.    I will reflect on my prayer and discern the times and ways in which God commonly speaks to me.
6.    I will give my time, my knowledge, or my financial support to help fight a cultural battle I consider important.
7.    I will work to mediate a long-standing familial dispute in light of the story of Abram and Lot.

Previous Resolutions - Genesis 13

Prayer Partners

Discuss with your prayer partner the success/failure of your previous resolution & offer a vocal prayer for one another.