Are you ready for a challenge this week? As we wander and wonder through the wilderness with the psalms, each week from now on we lean into a different spiritual prayer practice each week.
This week we engage in “praying the scriptures” through Lectio Divina, which means holy reading. The spiritual practice of Lectio Divina teaches each of us how to allow a word or a phrase to be the focus for our personal prayers. We trust that as we read, God is “speaking” to us by drawing us into the text.
I invite you to be patient and lean into this practice for it helps us learn to listen for God’s presence, not only in our reading, but also in our lives. The important thing to remember is that we are praying with scripture not studying it so don’t get caught up in your mind. Know that the Spirit is guiding you to the words you need to hear for your life. When we pray with scripture, we use short passages, 10 verses or less, and we engage in 4 movements: 1) Read/Reflect. 2) Read/Receive. 3) Read/Respond. 4) Rest/Breathe
Before you begin your Lectio practice each day, pray: God of Stillness, open my heart to your Word. Lead me as I read and open the eyes of my heart so that I might see and seek the understanding you desire. Amen.
Scripture: Read and Reflect on Psalm 46 which is a prayer of confession in which the Psalmist expresses trust in Yahweh’s help and protecting presence.
Focus: What word or phrase calls your attention?
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In the beginning this can be hard but just breathe and let a word or a phrase choose you or choose it yourself, it’s scripture and it’s all good for praying and it gets easier. Remember that the Spirit of God is reading with you ... Write your focus word or phrase down if that will help you. You might find that personalizing the language is helpful.
Read and Receive: Read the psalm again and receive what God is speaking into your heart. Are you drawn to the same word or phrase? If not it’s ok! Go where Spirit is leading you and consider what might God be saying to you through this word or phrase. How does this word speak into your life?
Read and Respond: Read the psalm one more time. Is God still drawing you to the same word or phrase? As you consider how God is speaking into your life, respond to God’s movement. What would you like to say to God about what you are hearing? Take as long as you need to say what you need to say.
If music is a prayerful practice for you, go to PsalmImmersionDotCom and choose one, or more, of Richard Bruxvoort Colligan's arrangements of Psalm 46.
Rest and Allow a Breath Prayer to Emerge: Let go of your prayers and rest in silence as long as you can. Allow a breath prayer to emerge from your time with Psalm 46 or lean into this one:
Breathing in … God of Stillness.
Breathing out … I long to know you more.
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The online version of the Lenten Devotional has more information and resources, however if you would like to have a PDF File Copy of this week's Devotional, take the DevoLink and you can print it out.
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