For many Christians, praying daily with scripture is an important devotional practice. There are a number of ways to do this. One of the easiest and most portable is to use the Irish Jesuit’s Sacred Space 2015 prayer book or website (www.sacredspace.ie). They include a short snippet of scripture from the daily lectionary—scriptures chosen to be read in churches and homes worldwide—with suggestions for points of reflection. You can read it daily with the book or online at your computer or smartphone and use it for the practice of lectio divina (“prayerful reading”) as outlined below. Or you may use their weekly prayer stages that take you from the beginning where you become aware of the presence of God, through a daily reflection called “the examen” and on to the reading. After reading the scripture, this template will ask you to have a conversation with God about your response to the scripture. Sacred Space is a wonderful tool for staying in touch with scripture daily. The hard copy book sells for $15.95 from Ave Maria Press (www.avemariapress.com) and the website, which contains the same content, is free. There is also an electronic version of the book you can purchase.
Here’s another structure to help you do lectio divina with any scripture. I’m posting today’s lectionary passage for your reflection. Why not try lectio and also check out Sacred Space 2015 to see the options you have for praying with scripture?
Scripture
Luke 10: 21-24
At that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spiritand said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 22 All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
23 Then turning to the disciples, Jesus said to them privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! 24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.” (NRSV)
The Practice
- Step One: Silencio. Become still and quiet within. Silently turn all your thoughts and desires over to God. Let go of concerns, worries or agendas. Just be for a few minutes.
- Step Two: Lectio. Read the passage slowly and carefully, either aloud or silently. Re-read it. Be alert to any word, phase or image that seems to have energy for you. It could be a word that invites you; a phrase that puzzles you; an image that intrigues you. Wait for this word, phrase or image to speak to you, but do not rush or force it. Read the passage as many times as you like.
- Step Three: Meditatio. Take whatever word, phrase or image from the passage that has energy for you and allow yourself to ponder it in your heart. In this phase, we “ruminate” over our chosen text. Repeat it to yourself like a mantra. Allow this word, phrase or image to interact with your deepest self—your thoughts, desires, memories. Let it speak to your life.
- Step Four: Oratio. Let your soul be deeply in prayer, allowing God to transform us by the word, phrase or image from scripture. Let your feelings be open and honest with God. Let your heart be in dialogue with God. Consider how this word, phrase or image connects with your life today. How is God present to you in it?
- Step Five: Contemplatio. Rest silently in the presence of God. Move beyond words, phrases or images. Enjoy the freedom that comes in contemplation.
If you desire, write about this prayer experience in a journal. What is your word, phrase or image? What does God reveal to you in it? What does it have to say about your life right now?
For more about spiritual direction as I practice it, check out my website. If you have questions or comments about the content of Spiritual Direction 101, please let me hear from you in the reply section below.
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