The 7 Steps - 7M4J
　

What do I do in step 1 – Silence?

You find a quiet place and time where you could be alone for a moment without any distractions.  You could do this in the morning or the evening depending on your preference as long as you are comfortable.  Spend this first minute doing nothing but closing your eyes and know that God is near you, beside you and in you.     

What do I do in step 2 –Praise and Worship?

You can hum or sing softly praise and worship songs like, “Here I am to worship”, “Come Holy Spirit”, “Breathe on us, Holy Spirit”, “Power of your Love”, “Songs from Taize” and etc.  As you sing the song, let the words of the song penetrate your heart and mind so that as you sing the song, you are praising and worshiping God.   

What do I do in step 3 –Scripture Reading?

You open to the Scripture text for the week (usually the following Sunday’s gospel) indicated in the weekly 7m4J guide prepared by 7minutes4Jesus@gmail.com.  Read the text slowly in your heart and concentrate on each of the words in the text.  Some words or phrases may ‘jump up’ at you.  So, read it carefully and prayerfully, in other words, with your mind and with your heart. 

What do I do in step 4 –Meditation?

You try to answer as many questions as possible on the weekly guides based on your reading of the text.  There are some tough questions there.  You may have to wrestle a while here and try to find your answer.  Again, there isn’t a right or wrong answer.  The questions are there to help us understand the meaning of the text better.  Do not be discouraged if you cannot get the answer instantly.  Ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten you during the week.

What do I do in step 5 –By Heart?

You reflect on what you have read and meditated in light of your daily life situation at this very moment.  You can read the 7m4J guide and ask yourself these possible questions:  How is the text relevant to your life?  Does the text bother you?  Why?  Is God challenging you to do something?  After that, choose a word or a phrase from the text which you find applicable to your life and memorize it.  Recall and think about it throughout the week.  Again, ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten you on how does this word affects your life.

What do I do in step 6 –Intercession?

You can follow the 7m4J guide as a starting point and of course, you should add your own prayers and intentions.  Don’t forget to pray for everyone else who have committed to this prayer-covenant.  Pray especially for the youth of today, those feeling alone, helpless, depressed, confused, troubled and abandoned.  Pray also for the increase of priestly and religious vocation among the youth.  If you have any prayer intentions, you can email 7minutes4Jesus@gmail.com.  When we pray together, we stay together and no one is alone. 

What do I do in step 7 –Covenant Prayer?

You pray this prayer: 

Lord Jesus Christ, by your suffering, death and resurrection, you give us new life:  a life filled with joy and purpose; a life only you can give it, for you are the source of life.  Guide us on our pilgrimage of life, that following you faithfully as your disciples, we may witness boldly to the world, your love and truth.  Enlighten our minds and hearts that your Word which we read and meditated may take roots in our lives.  Help us not to fall into sin and if we do fall due to our human weakness, bring us back to you for you are the way, the truth and the life.  We also pray for all our brothers and sisters, wherever they are, who are committed to this prayer, that their faith may be strengthened, their hope assured and their love fulfilled.  In your name we humbly pray.  Amen.