We had Spiritual Formation today and we learnt about a method of Prayers call 'Lectio Divina.'The term 'Lectio Divina' is Latin for divine reading, spiritual reading, or "holy reading," and represents a method of prayer and scriptural reading intended to promote communion (conversation) with God and to provide special spiritual insights. It is a way of praying with Scripture that calls one to study, ponder, listen and, finally, pray from God's Word.
I've done a bit of reading up on this and there is basically 4 moments in this method of prayer. They are:
Lectio (Selection)
Read the passage slowly several times.
Meditatio (Practise)
Reflect on the text of the passage, thinking about how to apply to one's own life. Gravitate to any particular phrase or word that seems to be of particular import. It is a very personal reading of the Scripture and application to one's own life.
Oratio (Prayer)
Respond to the passage by opening the heart to God. This is not primarily an intellectual exercise, but more of the beginning of a conversation with God.
Contemplatio (Survey)
Listen to God. This is a freeing oneself from one's own thoughts, both mundane and holy. It is about hearing God talk to us. Opening our mind, heart and soul to the influence of God. Any conversation must allow for both sides to communicate, and this most unfamiliar act is allowing oneself to be open to hearing God speak.
I really felt God speak clearly to me during this time of prayer today. We focused on the Scripture found in John 14: 21-26. You can look it up for yourselves, But the part where God spoke clearly was where He said "The Holy Spirit will teach you everything". Over the past couples of weeks Satan has been reminding me of my shortcomings, failures and how I don't understand or know everything straight away. He's taken pleasure when I see how there are so many other awesome Christian's/leaders and how I'm not up th that same standard as maybe others in my session are, but that's ok because the Holy Spirit will teach me everything. It's a process in which I will learn constantly and consistently. It won't all happen at once.
I am thankful for this method of communication with God. May I continually learn from God's Holy Spirit and may I continue to seek out direction from God.
Where are you at with God now? Do you connect with Him each time that you pray? Mayb you could try this method of prayer. Glory to God in His church, for Christ's sake - Amen!
Miss you all!!!
P.S - I've started reading the Bible cover-to-cover (well sort of) I read Some chapters from Genesis and Matthew...So I'm moving through both testaments at the same time. It's exciting - God is so very good!! Maybe God will lay it upon your heart to do it also. Hallelujah!
2 comments:
Aaron,
God is good, and so is 'Lectio Divina'.
It's pretty hard I know when you don't feel like you measure up to your own expectations. And as you say satan really enjoys rubbing in our in adequacies.
However, I always take comfort in the fact that God reveals, and teaches us as we walk in Him. As long as we are open to His teaching, revelation, and have the faith to step out in His power, we will always be living up to God's expectation of us. Which I think is totally awesome.
God doesn't expect anything more from us than he has revealed or taught us to us through His Word and Holy Spirit.
what happened at "Graces Place"????
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