Jesus Only: Part OneSample

Week 2, Day 2 - Monday

Lectio Divina

Today we are going to take 10 or 15 minutes to prayerfully read and contemplate this week’s Scripture passage several times. We will be approaching these words not for intellectual insight, but for transformation. This type of prayerful reading is known as lectio divina (Latin for “sacred reading”), a practice that dates back to the early Christian faith. As we read, our objective is to switch our natural emphasis of reading for information, and allow the Holy Spirit to gently speak to us in our present moment. We encourage you to make yourself open and available for God to speak, by settling your heart and mind in His presence.  

Lectio Divina Guidelines

Preparation: Before reading, take a few moments of silence to settle your heart and mind. Ask God to quiet your thoughts from the busyness and worries of life and make way for you to hear from Him. Allow yourself to be open to His presence and love.

First reading (lectio): Read through the passage slowly, listening for a word or phrase that strikes you or that somehow stands out from the rest of the passage. After your reading, remain with this word or phrase for a few moments, savoring it as you repeat it several times.

Second Reading (meditatio): Read the passage a second time, reflecting on the way God may be touching you right now. Some questions you may ask God are What do I need to hear today? What area in my life can be touched by this passage? How am I experiencing God through these verses?

Third Reading (oratio): Read the passage one final time. This time, respond to God with a natural and unedited prayer in response to what you hear from God. He may be inviting you to consider a place of pain or frustration, or moving you towards confession or a place of gratitude. Take a few moments of quiet after this final reading.

Scripture:

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:9-14 NIV)

Reflection Questions: .

How has the process of lectio divina been helpful to me today?

Is God inviting me or challenging me to something?

Is there an action God wants me to take or a new way of thinking that God would like me to embrace?

Prayer: Dear LORD,  may You take these verses and show me what You want me to see about You and my relationship with You this week. Teach me. I surrender to Your Spirit, in Jesus' Name. Amen.