This week's immersion will flow in its own unique pattern, diverging from its normal routine to focus on a style of meditation and prayer around God’s Word. Either use your electronic device or pen and paper to write reflections in the immediacy of each day. Plan on using that space because God wants to bless you with His messages.

Learning about LECTIO DIVINA
or
“Divine Reading”

Lectio Divina (“divine reading”) is a form of praying using Scripture to study, ponder, listen and pray. The desired outcome is a deeper knowledge of scripture, yourself, others and God.

You’ll need to set time aside for a slow savoring of the word. It helps if you can be attentive and relaxed -- a candle or other focal point helps to that end.

Many people have found “breath prayers” very helpful to this end. Breath prayers are very simple and usually very short phrases to coincide with your breathing: Inhale with one phrase, Exhale with a second – repeat in order to settle the mind and relax.

Here is an example to practice with for today, called “The Jesus Prayer”:

Lord Jesus (while inhaling)
have mercy (while exhaling)

There are four areas to engage in no required order; move freely between them and trust that God’s Spirit will guide you.

We will handle the section in this order -- one day at a time: Reading, Meditation, Prayer, and Contemplation (each explained later this week).

While we will dig into the full reading tomorrow, let your meditation for the week start with this phrase in Matthew 6:21… where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Prayer for the Week

Lord Jesus, help me treasure You and Your Word in my heart, to treasure Your ways as described in that Word, and to treasure Your Spirit who helps me draw close to You and the Father.

Amen.

Silence: While not an official part of the four sections, silencing yourself before engaging in Lectio Divina is very helpful – necessary some would say. It may help to stretch your body or take your muscles through a series of clenches and releases – from feet to face.

Then sit in a comfortable position and take note of your breathing.

Breathe gently and deeply for several minutes before beginning to read.

Consider a short prayer inviting the Holy Spirit to guide your prayer time – or using a breath prayer as suggested yesterday. (Our Immersion material will teach on breath prayers later in the year, but for now feel free to use the phrase: Lord Jesus have mercy.)

Once ready, start with Lectio, which means “reading”: Begin to read the chosen Scripture as if you are reading the words for the first time. Then, in a second (or even third) pass of the reading, slow down to savor each word until a particular word or phrase catches your attention; then stop. Here is the reading:

Matthew 6:19-21

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

After a second slow reading, use your reflection word and/or phrase, such as "Lord Jesus have mercy"  (and remember more words are not necessarily more spiritual).

[Reflect and write about what the Lord is putting on your heart.]

Let these words and phrases percolate in you through the rest of the day in preparation for tomorrow (in God’s good favor).

To prepare for today, re-immerse in your experience from section one (yesterday). After slowing down in silence or soft breath prayers, review reading and the reflection word or words you wrote down. If you skipped yesterday, start there rather than here so the devotional time will make sense.

[Reflect and write about what the Lord is putting on your heart.]

Section two for us in Lectio Divina is meditation: Repeat that word or phrase that caught your attention, thinking about it in the presence of God – with God. The repetition focuses attention and permits a deepening of awareness. Pay attention to images, shapes, concepts, even colors or textures that occur as you pray. Notice memories and associations that arise in you, how this passage is touching you today. If you get distracted, simply return to the word or phrase that initially captured you. If a thought is something you need to remember, jot it down, then return to your meditation.

[Reflect and write about about the images, shapes, concepts, colors, textures, memories and associations the Lord is putting on your heart.]

Since Wednesday is Identity in Christ day, let’s add one relating to the reading we are focusing on:

In Christ I am a treasure of God who gave his only Son in death that I might not perish but have life through eternity.

As we did on Wednesday, in order to prepare for today, re-immerse in your experience from the previous days. After slowing down in silence or breath praying, review the reading. Bring to mind your reflection word(s) and then your additional reflections from the meditation time yesterday. Again, if you are just starting this week, go back to Monday for things to make sense.

The third section of Lectio Divina is from the latin word “oratio,” meaning prayer. In this section, a prayer is built from the phrase or word that has captured your attention; dialogue with God about it. You may begin with your personal hopes, desires, needs, pains. Then let the prayer expand increasingly larger circles of people and life. You might consider sketching or painting as an outlet for these prayers as well – a nonverbal, creative response.

[Write about your dialogue with God over personal hopes, desires, needs, pains (don’t forget sketching or painting, non-verbal responses).]

[Write about other people and situations on your mind, heart, soul and this word.]

Our Last section is known as contemplation: This last phase is for resting in God – being still while letting your time of prayer continue in appreciation of God himself. The intention is to enjoy God purely for who He is. In many styles of Lectio Divina, this completes the experience. But I remind you that this is not a rule or law, but a suggested experience – including the order.

Before you engage in the contemplative section, review the week
Do these things to prepare for today’s devotional practice:

• Practice a period of silence
  
• Review the reading (see Tuesday)
• Bring to mind your key word or phrase
  
• Review the images, shapes, concepts, colors, textures, memories and associations from Wednesday
  
• Review your dialogue with God over personal hopes, desires, needs, pains – and others you had come to mind

Now simply enjoy God for who He is and for what He has done in relation to all that arose in the week regarding your key word or phrase. Rest in Him, giving Him any anxiety, struggle or pain, thanking Him for all joys and accomplishments. Include all relationships so that none fall outside your life with God.

[Reflect and write about what the Lord is putting on your heart.]

Ordinarily you would perform all four areas in one sitting, which you have opportunity to do tomorrow with the story of the week.

As you prepare to practice the Lectio Divina in one sitting, here are your basic points:

• Practice a period of silence to slow down.
  
• LECTIO: Read Matthew 19:16-22 once, as if you’ve never heard it, then read it a second time – mulling it over slowly until a word captures your attention; then stop.
  
• MEDITATIO: Meditate on that word or phrase, paying attention to the images, shapes, concepts, colors, textures, memories and associations that arise.
  
• ORATIO: Dialogue with God over personal hopes, desires, needs, pains that you are finding rise in you, as well as any people or situations that enter your mind or heart
  
• CONTEMPLATIO: Rest in God – being still while letting your time of prayer continue in appreciation of God himself.

Here is the story from God’s Word:

Matthew 19:16-22

Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”

“Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”

“Which ones?” he inquired.

Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’”

“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”

Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

[Record your key word or phrase.]

[Reflect and write about what the Lord is putting on your heart.]

Come and experience a larger scale practice of Lectio Divina with worship this weekend.

John 4:23-24

But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

You never go far away from us, yet we have difficulty in returning to you. Come, Lord, stir us up and call us back. Kindle and seize us. Be our fire and our sweetness. Let us love. Let us run.

~ Augustine of Hippo

[Record your key word or phrase.]

[Reflect and write about what the Lord is putting on your heart.]

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Prayer Prompt

Dear Lord,

I am providing these comments about the website and devotion to increase your greater glory.

Amen.

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