Pray With Lectio Divina
Updated: 3 days ago
My Daughter, Take My Hand and Pray with Lectio Divina
Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Jesus said in Matthew 6:6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Mark 1:35 Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.
Luke 5:16 So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.
Luke 6:12 Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
Thank You Heavenly Father
Your love, the love of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit will always deepen my prayer life.
I would like to share with you, my Daughter, a practice of prayerfully reading and meditating upon Scripture called Lectio Divina. The phrase Lectio Divina is Latin for divine reading. This practice has its roots in early Christianity as far back as the 3rd century. It is meant to draw you closer to God and deepen your relationship with Him. The reading of Scripture here is not just about acquiring biblical knowledge but providing a valuable way of communing with God.
Lectio Divina involves four steps: the reading of Scripture, meditation, prayer, and contemplation.
To begin, find a quiet place and invite the Holy Spirit to join you. Slowly read a short passage of Scripture you have chosen, multiple times. Let the Holy Spirit guide you to pause on a word or phrase that stands out to you.
Then meditate on that word or phrase of Scripture that stood out to you. As you think deeply about the text, allow it to speak to your life situation or the nature of God or what He simply wants you to know.
Then turn your meditation into personal prayer. Respond to God with prayers of gratitude, confession, and/or intercession based on your chosen Scripture. Ask the Holy Spirit for clarity and wisdom. Pray in response to the insights gained, expressing your thoughts, feelings, and desires to God.
The final step is contemplation. This step involves sitting in silence before God and surrendering to His guidance. Rest in the truths God has revealed and allow them to speak to our heart.
FYI: Do not get discouraged if your mind wanders off to some random distraction. The mind is a wonderful gift from God especially when it is under the direction of the Holy Spirit. Just return to contemplation and continue.
Jesus encourages you, my Daughter, in John 10:27 - that you hear His voice as He is speaking to you:
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
All scripture above taken from NKJV. See Scripture Acknowledgements page