Gimel (Day 3 of 22 Days of Fixed Hour Prayer)

I. Read and Reflect on A Psalm in the Morning

Psalm 119 – King David’s poem using the Hebrew alphabet

Gimel

 

17. Deal bountifully with your servant, *
that I may live and keep your word.

18. Open my eyes, that I may see *
the wonders of your law.

19. I am a stranger here on earth; *
do not hide your commandments from me.

20. My soul is consumed at all times *
with longing for your judgments.

21. You have rebuked the insolent; *
cursed are they who stray from your commandments!

22. Turn from me shame and rebuke, *
for I have kept your decrees.

23. Even though rulers sit and plot against me, *
I will meditate on your statutes.

24. For your decrees are my delight, *
and they are my counselors.

A Deep Dive into the Letter “Gimel”

My Insights about Gimel:

1. Gimel is a letter than symbolizes our spiritual journey with God. The pictogram is that of a foot, which lends itself to the idea of journeying and pilgrimage. In our spiritual lives we journey with God out of a life of sin and into relationship with Him. Building this relationship is a type of journey – He invites us, we respond, He reveals Himself to us, we understand in ever more deeper ways, moving from ignorance to a place of strength, peace, settled in heart, mind, and soul as we learn of Him and His ways.

I found it so interesting that Hebrews 11:8-10 reflects this journey, this path:

⁸ By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. ⁹ By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. ¹⁰ For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.                                                                                                             

I can see the progression – called, journeying, meeting with God through the wilderness , dwelling in tents, crossing into the promised land, and gaining the sure foundation of a permanent dwelling with God – I had never thought of this before! 

2. Gimel is a picture of the Holy Spirit. Hebrew 4 Christians shares this insight:

Aleph (1) and Bet (2) equal Gimel (3), suggesting that Gimel (3) represents the Holy Spirit proceeding from the Father (Aleph) and the Son (Bet). And the role of the Holy Spirit is 3-fold: to convict of sin, righteousness, and judgement to come (John 16:8).

3. Gimel is a picture of Grace as well.  It is said that ‘Gimel’ is made from a ‘Zayin’ (a sword) and ‘Yod’ (hand) and that Gimel approaches the ‘Dalet’ (the poor man; the man that is humble) with an open hand (because the sword is facing away from the Dalet.) The picture is of the Holy Spirit seeking and coming to those who are humble, knocking on the door of their heart, and the sword of judgment is sheathed because Jesus has taken care of all of God’s judgment against sin.

May you open the door of your heart to the outstretched hand of God, realizing that His love is reaching out to you because all need of judgment has been met!

 

Exercises:

1. The ‘Gimmel’ section of Psalm 119 has the general theme of God’s word and the trials of life. Consider what scripture has become precious to you in your own trials. How might you compose a poem about your experience.

2. The 3rd letter of our English alphabet is “C”. Consider what kind of words, starting with “C”, we can use in our own poem about God. Use this “word box” to create your own little acrostic poem about Jesus. Choose 3 – 8, but no more than 8. A good way to choose the words is just go with your first impulse (circle or mark as you go):

II. The Lord’s Prayer at Mid-day

 

Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those
who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom
and the power and the glory
forever and ever. Amen

 

Questions to deepen your experience of or reflect upon the Lord’s Prayer (feel free to choose just one):

Is there any line that stands out to you at the moment?

Is there a name of God that is coming to your mind for today?

What specific needs do you have that God can provide?

What/Who do I need to forgive today?

What specific temptations do you face today?

What do you need deliverance from today?

 

 

 

III. Prayer of Examen in the Evening

(Journal the responses to keep a record. You don’t need to answer every question – choose the one or ones that most resonate with you.}

1. Review: think through the events and the emotions of the day. Questions to consider:
   • Where have I felt true joy today?
   • What has troubled me today?
   • What has challenged me today?
   • Where and when did I pause today?
   • Where was God’s presence in each of these events?
2. Rejoice: what is a cause for gratitude in the past day? Consider:
   • the gift of another day…
   • the love and compassion I have received…
   • the support I was given…
   • the courage I found…
   • an event that took place today…
3. Repent: were there words, thoughts, actions, attitudes, or desires in the day that did not reflect Jesus Christ? Confess these, and ask for the Holy Spirit to fill you with His power in those areas.
4. Renew: Consider what lies ahead tomorrow. Invite Jesus to give you His power for the coming day:
   • invite hope
   • invite wisdom
   • invite strength
   • invite discernment
   • invite Divine love

 

 

* An asterisk divides each verse into two parts for reading or chanting. In
reading, a distinct pause should be made at the asterisk.