During this period of lockdown, I have been trying to establish a rhythm for mind, body and soul.  While at home alone, I have radio four playing to keep my mind engaged. When dry, I walk 10000 steps around the perimeter of Heriot-Watt University to keep my body ticking over. With an open Bible at least once a day, my purpose three months into lockdown is still the same; my soul needs to be restored, reshaped and refreshed by my Shepherd King. I need his Word (Ps.19v7). His Word is perfect, reviving my soul. I need to pray (1Thess. 5v16-17) Rejoicing always, giving thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for me in Christ Jesus. I need to ask for prayer, and I need to pray for others (1Thess. 5v25, James. 5v16). 

I  am calling this blog Selah interlude - Soul re-orientation because we all need to Selah (the meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain, but it can mean: to pause; to pray; to praise) and we all need our soul's to be restored, reshaped and refreshed. In addition to persevering with the mind and the body, we all need to persevere with the soul.

Thankful when I discovered;  2Thessalonians.3:5, that I am not on my own as I persevere, but I can ask Jesus for help. 2Thessalonians. 3:5; May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance.

Also encouraged by an old friend." talk to God about others before talking to others about God."

 "Talking to men for God is a great thing, but talking to God for men is greater still. He will never talk well and with real success to men for God who has not learned well how to talk to God for men." E.M. Bounds, Power Through Prayer

 All to say, I am learning to persevere with help and convinced even more that I need his Word to feed my soul before I pray for your soul to be revived. 

  During this extended period of lockdown join me in some word and prayer, selah interlude and soul re-orientation.

Here is the Word for today. 

Matthew 6:5-8 NET

Whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, because they love to pray while standing in synagogues and on street corners so that people can see them. Truly I say to you; they have their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.  When you pray, do not babble repetitiously like the Gentiles, because they think that by their many words they will be heard. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Here is my prayer for today.

Matthew 6:9-13 NET

 So pray this way:  Our Father in heaven, may your name be honoured,  may your kingdom come,  may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread,  and forgive us our debts, as we ourselves have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Listen to or watch. Our Father in heaven