Week 1
"Prayer Method"
Lectio Divina. This is an ancient practice of reading a short amount of scripture and then meditating on it. 'Lectio Divina' is Latin for 'Divine Reading." If you're new to Lectio Divina, I recommend beginning by spending 2-minutes on each step (5-minutes is the goal). It's always better to start small and desire more than to start too large and get bored. This is a prayer practice which will take time to learn.
Lectio Divina is a template to help you connect with God. You are welcome to adjust the structure. One of the goals of Lectio Divina is to guide us in listening to the Spirit and set us up for spiritual transformation.
For many of us raised on transactional prayer practices where we feel the need to barter with God or convince God into action, this practice will feel like you're wasting your time. Deep soul work takes time and begins from the inside-out. In allowing the Spirit to transform us, our prayers, then become more aligned with God's heart so we can partner with God as whole and healed people for the sake of our world.
1. READ
Read the Colossians scripture slowly 3x.
2. REFLECT
Ask the Spirit of God to reveal a word or phrase that stands out to you from the text. Reflect on that word/phrase. Consider it's meaning, history, your experience with that word/phrase. Listen to the Spirit bringing to your mind related thoughts and/or experiences.
3. WRITE
Spend time writing about your reflections. Why did you choose that word/phrase? Why was it highlighted by the Spirit for you? What emotions does this word/phrase bring up for you? What is happening in your life that this word/phrase may be speaking into? Turn your reflections into a prayer.
4. REST
Suspend all thought and sit quietly with God. If your thoughts begin to wander, recite your word/phrase from above to bring you back to your focus. Trust that God heard your worry, anxiety and/or longing, and is acting on your behalf.
Monday, January 9th
Colossians 1:1-2
Tuesday, January 10th
Colossians 1:3-8
Wednesday, January 11th
Colossians 1:9-12
Thursday, January 12th
Colossians 1:13-16
Friday, January 13th
Colossians 1:17-20
Saturday, January 14th
Colossians 1:21-23
Sunday, January 15th
Colossians 1:24-29
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