June 2025

A Contemplative Exercise for June 2025

The following is a possible framework for the Witnessing of the Word. It can be personalised or altered: its purpose is to serve as an example of how this Saying might be used primarily in the context of a Prayer Group, but it may be used by individuals too. It is not intended to be definitive.  In the context of a group: the periods of silence should be appropriate for your group - probably not less than 5 minutes, or more than 15 minutes.

Saying for the month: ‘They shall all know me’ Jeremiah 31:34 (KJV).

To begin the exercise, first spend a short while in relaxation and preparing to be still; you may want to relax your way through your muscles or you may find it helpful to become aware of the sounds around you and then put them aside as you offer this time of prayer to God.

Say this introductory invitation to prayer, then keep a further minute or two of silence:  ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest’ (Matthew 11.28).

Introduction to the first silence - a preparation for listening with the mind:

‘They shall all know me’.

These are God’s words through the prophet Jeremiah. We find them among the four chapters of Jeremiah, chapters 30-33, that are often described as the Book of Consolation. God’s words, through Jeremiah, are to a people in captivity.

Solomon’s errors and the foolishness of his son Rehoboam have perhaps contributed to the division of the Jewish nation into Israel and Judah. Then, in 722 BCE the Assyrians capture the people of the Northern kingdom and take these people captive, to Babylon. These chapters of consolation unpack the plans and promises God has for his people, intending them to prosper and give them hope and a future. In the short to medium term a new day is coming for the Babylonian exiles, and in the longer-term there will be another new day in the End Times, for all the Jewish people, before the Lord returns. We see a promise and picture of God gathering his people together, uniting them and stepping in as God of all the families of Israel.

If we see the scriptures as a love story between God and His people, then there have been many vow renewals during this journeying together.  Before the people enter the Promised Land there is a covenant renewal under Moses.  Before he dies, Joshua leads the people in reaffirming their covenant.  Samuel calls the people into a renewal of vows with their God.  Hezekiah and Josiah lead the people back to a fresh commitment to Him, renewing their vows and re-discovering God’s laws.

In this romance of redemption, we find an utterly reliable God; one who is always ready to renew His vows.  Yes, he recognises his people’s poor behaviour and their unfaithfulness, yet he continues to pursue them, tenderly winning them back and restoring the relationship.  Here in Jeremiah 31, we find such an emphasis on singing, praise and joy as God promises restoration to his people following their unfaithfulness and exile.  These vow renewals, these old promises and covenant were very much about trying to control conduct.  The old covenant was broken so many times.  Now however, as we reach the end of Jeremiah 31, there is a radical shift to a new covenant that is instead going to do inner work with God’s people; everyone, both great and small, shall really know their God.

God’s word, his promise, then, as now, is that ‘They shall all know me’.

We take this Saying into our minds, allowing the saying to speak to us: ‘They shall all know me’.  

A time is now kept for silence of the mind – perhaps between 5 and 15 minutes.  The silence concludes with a short thanksgiving, and/or feel free to repeat the Saying.

The first silence ends with the words: Father, we thank you for the gift of your Word.

Introduction to the second silence - a preparation for listening with the heart

‘They shall all know me’.

Now we take this word into our hearts, as we allow God’s words to speak in us, to let it touch us and let it work more deeply upon our lives.

After all the vow renewals and re-negotiation of relationship with God that we have just been thinking about, we now arrive at a radical new development, a shift towards wanting to obey God’s will.  This is a brand-new covenant, written on the people’s hearts; God’s law is put within each person.  It is no longer about indirect learning or about teaching and being taught the things of God.  Now, what is available is knowing God firsthand.

‘They shall all know me’, our Saying for June declares.

And that knowledge is available to everyone, however smart or slow we may feel we are or however weight down by life’s silting-up. It’s an offer God makes to all …

‘They shall all know me’.

And this divine romance is not only intimate, we know and are known, but also offers a glorious fresh start.  The slate is wiped clean.  God will forget our unfaithfulness and rebelliousness.  Our waywardness and sins are forgiven and forgotten.

We might see this as a revolutionary new pledge and, if we take a New Testament perspective, we might recognise Jesus as its foundation.  It is Jesus that resides in our hearts and draws us into a uniquely personal relationship with our God.  Jeremiah’s very long-term perspective perhaps looks forward to Jesus establishing this contract with Israel, Judah and including the Gentiles.  God’s laws are now inscribed on each of our hearts, changing us into people able and willing to love Him, giving us a fresh start and establishing a permanent and personal relationship with God.

It is perhaps there, taking His word into our hearts, that we dwell on God’s word and promise to us:

‘They shall all know me’.

A time is now kept for silence of the heart – perhaps between 5 and 15 minutes.

The second silence ends with the words: Father, we thank you that your Word is alive and within us.

Introduction to the time of intercession – taking God’s word outwards into the world.

‘They shall all know me’.

Say the name of a person or a group of people, and after a short pause, repeat the saying. For example:

‘Alison and your family … “They shall all know me”’.

As we allow the word to speak through us we might direct God’s word towards:

All those people and situations where there is vengeance and retaliation rather than understanding and forgiveness and a desire for reconciliation and a new beginning.

For those working in war-torn areas, seeking to bring peace.

For all the church and church workers, seeking to draw folk into personal redemption and into this loving relationship with a reliable, divine father.

For those who govern or lead businesses or places of work, that they may be touch by God’s desire to redeem them and their workforce.

Conclusion

Feel free to use the Fellowship Prayer (below) or another closing prayer to conclude your time of contemplative prayer:

Loving Heavenly Father, we thank you for all your unsearchable riches which pour forth from you as light from the sun, in boundless profusion and generosity, whether received, ignored or rejected. And now we offer to you, in so far as we are able, as an emptiness to be filled with your divine fullness, ourselves, our souls and bodies; all that we are, all that we have and all that we do. Amen

You may wish to say the Grace together before departing.