Episode Transcript
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Hi, my name is Piper,
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and I am part of the team here at Holy Spirit Seminary.
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I want to invite you into a space of stillness with me today.
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A space to breathe, to reflect,
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and to reconnect with the quiet places in our hearts.
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A moment where we can be honest about our struggles,
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and open to God’s gentle presence.
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Life can be overwhelming,
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especially in recent times.
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Right now, I’m experiencing change myself
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and feeling the mix of excitement,
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sadness and deep anxiety that comes with it.
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Maybe you’re facing something similar,
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or your own challenges.
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Whether it’s tension in our relationships,
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uncertainty in the workplace,
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world events, or just the quiet ache of unrooted anxiety
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that we don’t often speak about.
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Whatever it is, you are not alone,
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please remember that God remains close.
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Not distant or unreachable,
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but deeply present.
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Let us take a few minutes now to slow down,
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let these thoughts settle within us,
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and be present together with God.
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In the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
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Amen.
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Take a moment to sit comfortably.
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If you're able, gently close your eyes.
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Let’s begin by simply breathing together,
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by noticing your breath.
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Inhale slowly,
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and exhale.
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Again, breathe in, and out.
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Let your breathing become steady and calm.
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Breathe in peace,
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and breathe out tension.
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As you breathe,
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become aware of what you’re carrying today.
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What’s been sitting heavily on your heart?
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Where do you feel this tension?
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In your mind, your body, work or your relationships?
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You don’t need to fix anything in this moment.
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Just bring it into the light, and let it be seen by God.
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Now, listen to these words from Philippians.
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“Do not worry about anything,
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but in everything by prayer and supplication
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with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
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And the peace of God,
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which surpasses all understanding,
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will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
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Philippians 4: 6–7
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Let these words rest in you:
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“You are not alone.
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You are held.
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You are enough.”
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Let us pray for the strength
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to take the steps we know we need to take
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even when they feel small or hard.
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At the same time,
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God invites us to care for ourselves and for one another,
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to take the small steps we need toward healing and hope.
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We know that each of us holds
the power to care for our health
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and for our mind.
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Help us to trust Your loving presence
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and the courage that You give us to move forward.
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Help us to be bold,
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to be open to connection and community,
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even when it feels vulnerable.
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Give us the courage to love loudly, without fear.
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To not hold back from giving or receiving love,
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even when it’s risky.
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Help us to live fully,
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not in isolation,
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not just surviving,
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but rooted in joy, connection, and community.
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Let us be with one another.
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Let us build each other up.
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Let us create spaces that are strong and safe,
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full of grace and laughter and honesty.
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Places where people can be real
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and still be loved.
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Now, take a moment to think of someone,
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this could be someone you work with,
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someone you live with,
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a friend, or someone you know
who might be struggling right now.
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Hold their name in your heart.
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Ask God to bless them
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to fill their life with courage,
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healing, and deep connection.
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Let us pray.
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Lord, You know what we carry,
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even when we don’t speak it out loud.
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You see the invisible weight of our stress,
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the quiet fears,
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the unsaid tension in us.
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Today, we ask for your peace.
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Not the kind the world can give,
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but the peace that only You can offer.
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Help us to be kind to ourselves,
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our friends, to those we love,
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to our neighbours, even strangers.
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When we feel overwhelmed,
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remind us that You walk with us.
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When we don’t know what to say,
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help us to listen.
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When we are afraid to love,
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remind us that love is what we were made for.
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And when we forget our worth,
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speak it back to us in silence.
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Fill our hearts with peace,
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our minds with clarity,
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and our lives with Your love.
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As Joshua was told:
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“Be strong and courageous.
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Do not be frightened,
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and do not be dismayed,
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for the Lord your God
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is with you wherever you go.”
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May these words be our strength today and always.
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We ask this through Christ our Lord.
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Amen.
