A Harvest Prayer Journey
The Parable of the Sower
Bellshill Central Church
Take your time. There is no need to rush. Read slowly, pause often, and allow the words to speak to you.
Becoming Still
Find a comfortable place.
Take a moment to become still.
Put aside, as best you can, the things that have filled your mind today.
Take a slow breath in…
And slowly breathe out.
Again…
Breathe in God’s peace.
Breathe out the things that weigh heavily upon you.
As you begin this time of prayer, remember:
God is here.
God is with you.
You are not alone.
A prayer
Loving God,
as I come into your presence, quiet my mind, still my heart, and help me to be open to you.
In the busyness of life, help me to hear your voice.
In the worries that surround me, help me to know your peace.
In the ordinary things of each day, help me to recognise your presence.
Be with me now, and prepare the soil of my heart to receive your word.
Amen.
The Sower
Jesus told a story about a farmer who went out to sow seed.
Some seed fell on the path.
Some fell among the rocks.
Some fell among thorns.
And some fell on good soil.
The seed was the same.
But the soil was different.
Jesus said:
“A sower went out to sow his seed.”
Luke 8:5
Pause for a moment.
Imagine the scene.
A farmer walking across a field.
The seed held in his hand.
With every step, seed is scattered.
Some lands in places where it will struggle to grow.
Some finds a place where it can take root.
Some falls into rich, fertile soil.
And the farmer keeps sowing.
Reflect
Where am I today?
What kind of soil is my heart?
Am I distracted?
Am I tired?
Am I carrying worries?
Am I open and ready to listen?
There is no need to judge yourself.
Simply notice.
What is happening within me today?
Spend a little time in silence.
The Seed
The seed in Jesus’ story is God’s word.
God continues to sow.
God’s love is scattered generously.
God’s grace is offered freely.
God’s invitation is extended to every person.
The farmer does not carefully choose only the perfect soil.
The seed is scattered widely.
Again and again.
God’s love is not scarce.
There is enough for everyone.
Prayer
God of abundance,
thank you that you continue to sow your word into my life.
Even when I have not been listening, you have been speaking.
Even when I have wandered, you have remained faithful.
Even when my heart has been hard, you have not given up on me.
Help me to receive what you are offering.
Amen.
The Path
Some seed falls on the path.
It is there, but it never gets the chance to take root.
Sometimes life can feel like that.
Words pass over us.
We hear them, but do not really listen.
We become so busy that there is no room for God.
Reflect
What things crowd my life?
What occupies my thoughts?
What makes it difficult for me to hear God?
Perhaps name those things quietly before God.
You don’t need to solve them.
Simply place them before God.
Prayer
God,
where my life has become crowded, make space.
Where I have stopped listening, help me hear.
Where I have become distracted, draw me back.
Give me a heart that is willing to listen.
Amen.
The Rocky Ground
Some seed falls on rocky ground.
It begins to grow, but there is little depth.
Sometimes our faith can be like that.
We may feel close to God when life is going well.
But when difficulties come, our roots can feel fragile.
Reflect
Where do I need deeper roots?
What challenge am I facing at the moment?
Where do I need God’s strength?
Sit quietly with that thought.
Imagine placing your concern into God’s hands.
You don’t have to carry everything yourself.
Prayer
Faithful God,
when life is difficult, help me to remain rooted in you.
When I do not understand, give me trust.
When I am afraid, give me courage.
When I feel weak, hold me close.
Help my faith grow deeper, not only in the good times, but through every season of life.
Amen.
Among the Thorns
Some seed falls among thorns.
Jesus speaks of the worries, riches and distractions of life that can choke the growing plant.
There are many things that can do the same to us.
Worry.
Fear.
Regret.
Busyness.
The desire to have more.
The pressure to be everything for everyone.
Reflect
What is choking the life out of me?
What am I carrying that I need to release?
Is there something I need to let go of?
Bring it honestly to God.
You might imagine placing each worry into God’s hands.
One by one.
And then hear these words:
“Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.”
— 1 Peter 5:7
Take a few moments in silence.
Good Soil
And then there is the good soil.
The seed takes root.
It grows.
It produces a harvest.
The good soil is not perfect soil.
It is simply soil that is open.
Ready to receive.
Ready to grow.
Ready to bear fruit.
Reflect
Where have I seen God’s goodness growing in my life?
Who has helped me grow?
Where have I seen kindness, love or generosity?
What gifts has God given me?
And perhaps most importantly:
What fruit might God be inviting me to grow?
Love?
Patience?
Kindness?
Forgiveness?
Generosity?
Faith?
Hope?
Compassion?
Spend some time with one word that speaks to you.
Harvest
Harvest reminds us that growth takes time.
A seed does not become a crop overnight.
There are seasons of planting.
Seasons of waiting.
Seasons of growing.
And eventually, a harvest.
Our lives are like that too.
Sometimes we want everything to happen immediately.
But God works patiently.
Quietly.
Faithfully.
A prayer for growth
Lord,
help me to be patient with myself.
Help me to remember that growth takes time.
Thank you for the people who have planted seeds of faith in me.
For parents and grandparents.
For friends.
For teachers.
For people in the Church.
For those whose words or kindness have made a difference.
May I now plant seeds of hope in the lives of others.
May something I say, something I do, or simply the way I live help someone else discover your love.
Amen.
A Prayer for Our Harvest
God of the harvest,
we thank you for the gifts of the earth.
For fields and gardens.
For grain and fruit.
For rain and sunshine.
For farmers and growers.
For all whose work brings food to our tables.
We remember that what we have is not simply ours.
Help us to be grateful.
Help us to share.
Help us to notice those who have little.
Help us to care for your creation.
And help us to remember that the harvest of our lives is measured not by what we possess, but by the love we give.
Amen.
Bringing the World Before God
Take a moment now to think of the people and places you want to place before God.
You might pray for:
Someone who is struggling.
Pause.
Someone who is lonely.
Pause.
Someone who is ill or afraid.
Pause.
Someone who needs hope.
Pause.
Our community.
Pause.
Our church.
Pause.
Our world.
Pause.
And finally:
Pray for yourself.
For what you need.
For what you hope for.
For what you are carrying.
For the person you are becoming.
A Moment of Silence
Now stop reading.
Simply sit quietly for a few moments.
There is nothing you need to say.
Nothing you need to achieve.
Simply be present with God.
Be still.
Pause for as long as you wish.
Going Out to Sow
Jesus’ story does not finish with the seed.
The story continues in us.
We are called to receive God’s love and then to share it.
To sow kindness.
To sow hope.
To sow forgiveness.
To sow generosity.
To sow peace.
To sow faith.
We may never know where those seeds will grow.
But we can trust God with the harvest.
A final prayer
Lord Jesus,
make my heart good soil.
Let your word take root in me.
Let your love grow in me.
Let your grace change me.
And then, wherever I go, help me to sow seeds of love and hope.
May I leave something good behind me.
May my words bring encouragement.
May my actions bring kindness.
May my life point towards you.
And when I cannot see the harvest, help me to trust that you are still at work.
Amen.
The Blessing
As you leave this time of prayer,
go gently.
Go hopefully.
Go with gratitude.
And remember:
You are God’s field.
May God’s word take root in you.
May God’s love grow within you.
May God’s peace surround you.
And may your life bear fruit for the blessing of others.
Amen.
A final thought
The farmer scatters the seed.
The soil receives it.
God gives the growth.
And the harvest comes in its time.
Go in peace,
and sow seeds of love wherever you go.
