Mark 5:1-6:6 - When Death does Not Win
I Wonder
A Way to Pray – Malcolm Gordon and Michelle Lang
Chapter 5 opens with the story of the Gerasene demoniac, or madman. This poor soul is so beset by evil that on the one hand the demons give him superhuman strength and nothing and no one can restrain him. On the other hand, the force that rules his life is a self destructive one, and though he cannot be bound, he is anything but free.
This way of prayer invites us to explore empathy with those who are in situations like these—where the forces of evil, addiction or poverty cause both a chaotic parody of freedom, and a crushing oppression all at once.
Give each member of the congregation a link of chain. During a time of prayerful reflection, ask ‘I wonder’ questions like these:
- ‘I wonder how heavy it would be to be wrapped in a chain like this?’
- ‘I wonder how much it would hurt to try and break a chain like this with your hands?’
- ‘I wonder what it would feel like to not feel safe with yourself.’
- ‘I wonder what it would be like to live outside everything you know, and away from everyone you love?’
- ‘I wonder what it would feel like to feel at once powerful and powerless?’
- ‘I wonder what it would feel like to hear a voice that could cut through everything that bound you?’
You may like to conclude this time by leading a prayer pointing to Jesus as the one who can bring deliverance with a mere word.
REQUIREMENTS
- Broken links of chain
