“The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” Psalm 51: 17
These days many people are struggling. Some struggles are common for we all share the human condition. And yet there are struggles that are unique to each individual, because we cannot know what each person is dealing with, unless they tell us about it. I cannot know what you had to deal with in the past year nor what you had to overcome in order to come to this point. But God does. God knows our hearts.
Normally in Lent we say that we join Jesus in the desert. Having gone through a number of lockdowns since March 2020, and being in lockdown – at least in Ireland – still, the image of a desert may not be as inspiring. We have had our shares of the desert moments throughout the year.
Lent also coincides with Spring in Ireland. It order to burst into bloom, flower-seeds need to rest in the dark of the soil, let go of what they know, and embark on the journey of growth. As they do that, gradually small shoots come out on the surface, and with the support of sunshine, water and nutrients, they grow into beautiful flowers.
Can you notice areas in your life that are undergoing a similar journey?
I like to think of Isaiah 61 as we start Lent,
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good need to the poor. He has sent me….. to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.”
Jesus is the one who has been anointed & who exchanges the difficult realities into those where His glory shines forth. This is especially true for the Holy Week, so when we come to it this year, let us allow Him to bring healing into our lives and to lead us through our difficulties, towards His glory.
Until then, it may be helpful to look at this Lent this way: not that we are joining Jesus in the desert but instead He is joining us in our own deserts. And His presence makes all the difference.
© Dr Iva Beranek
The Power of Presence on Zoom, 17th April 2021
The Power of Presence via Zoom is an opportunity to find rest in God’s presence and restoration of our soul in the midst of worries of life. We would like to invite you to our next session which takes place on Saturday, 17th April 2021 at 11am.
Facilitators are Carol Casey and Dr Iva Beranek.
We will do something slightly different on this day.
Iva will lead an introductory prayer session, and Carol will lead two main prayer session, a Healing Prayer Circle.
Carol explains that this day will be “like taking time to sit by the lake shore with the One who loves us, to Come and Rest“.
Places are limited, so if you would like to attend please register at iva@ministryofhealing.ie.
Online Healing Service, 31st March 2021
Lent, when Jesus enters our desert
Posted on: /in Thoughts /by CMH_Admin2020These days many people are struggling. Some struggles are common for we all share the human condition. And yet there are struggles that are unique to each individual, because we cannot know what each person is dealing with, unless they tell us about it. I cannot know what you had to deal with in the past year nor what you had to overcome in order to come to this point. But God does. God knows our hearts.
Normally in Lent we say that we join Jesus in the desert. Having gone through a number of lockdowns since March 2020, and being in lockdown – at least in Ireland – still, the image of a desert may not be as inspiring. We have had our shares of the desert moments throughout the year.
Lent also coincides with Spring in Ireland. It order to burst into bloom, flower-seeds need to rest in the dark of the soil, let go of what they know, and embark on the journey of growth. As they do that, gradually small shoots come out on the surface, and with the support of sunshine, water and nutrients, they grow into beautiful flowers.
Can you notice areas in your life that are undergoing a similar journey?
I like to think of Isaiah 61 as we start Lent,
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good need to the poor. He has sent me….. to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.”
Jesus is the one who has been anointed & who exchanges the difficult realities into those where His glory shines forth. This is especially true for the Holy Week, so when we come to it this year, let us allow Him to bring healing into our lives and to lead us through our difficulties, towards His glory.
Until then, it may be helpful to look at this Lent this way: not that we are joining Jesus in the desert but instead He is joining us in our own deserts. And His presence makes all the difference.
© Dr Iva Beranek
The Power of Presence on Zoom, 20th March 2021
The Power of Presence via Zoom is an opportunity to find God’s peace and restoration in the midst of worries of life. We would like to invite you to our session which takes place on Saturday, 20th March 2021 at 11am.
Facilitators are Carol Casey and Dr Iva Beranek.
In this session Iva will offer a talk on “Beauty as a pathway to God”.
Places are limited, so if you would like to attend please register at iva@ministryofhealing.ie.
The Power of Presence on Zoom, 27th February 2021
As we enter the season of Lent, we would like to invite you to join us for the Power of Presence, which takes place on Saturday, 27th February 2021 at 11am through Zoom.
Facilitators are Carol Casey and Dr Iva Beranek.
This session includes a talk on Centering Prayer which will be given by Carol.
“Centering Prayer is a simple way of coming to sit with God. It is a way to move beyond thinking, to go deeper, to open our hearts to the love of God and to receive healing wherever it is needed. It does not replace other kinds of prayer. Rather it adds depth of meaning to all prayer. It is like a thread that keeps us connected to the Divine.”
The Power of Presence on Zoom, 6th February 2021
The Power of Presence via Zoom is an opportunity to find peace, rest and restoration in the midst of worries of life. Our next session will take place on Saturday, 6th February 2021, at 11am.
In this session there will be a short talk on Our inner goodness, by Dr. Iva Beranek.
Facilitators are Carol Casey and Dr Iva Beranek.
Places are limited, so if you would like to attend please register at iva@ministryofhealing.ie.
© photo by Iva Beranek
Online Healing Service, 1st February 2021
The Power of Presence on Zoom, 16th January 2021
We would like yo invite you to join us in an hour and a half session on Zoom, where we come to be nurtured in God’s presence. The Power of Presence will take place on Saturday, 16th January 2021, at 11am on Zoom.
Online guided prayer. Meeting Christ in a place we call home – 14th January 2021
On Thursday, 14th January 2021 at 12noon, we will offer a guided prayer via our Facebook live. You can find our Facebook page here: facebook.com/CMHIreland/.
Dr Iva Beranek will facilitate the prayer.
We hope you can join us.
Online Healing Service, 17th December 2020
If you would like us to pray for someone during the service, please send us their first name by Wednesday 16th December. You can do so by sending us a message on Facebook.