Let us pray together.
“Heavenly father, I come before you with a desire to be fully formed in Christ. This verse is a gift, and so I open my heart to your Word in order to fully receive that gift. In this practice of Lectio Divina, I understand your Scripture to be a meeting place for me to have a personal encounter with the Living God. Through this practice, I allow myself to be formed in the likeness of Christ and to deepen my relationship with God. I am receptive, and ready to listen to what you have to say, O’ Lord.”
Instructions: Make sure you are sitting comfortably. Breathe slowly and deeply.
Listen
Instructions: Let us read together and as we read the passage, listen for a word or phrase that attracts you. Allow it to arise from the passage as the gift God is offering to you today.
{Insert Bible Verse Here from one translation}
Instructions: Now, sit in silence repeating the word or phrase in your head.
Instructions: Then say the word or phrase aloud. Write it down in your journal.
Contemplate
Instructions: Let’s read this verse again together. As we read, inwardly ask how this word or phrase speaks to your life. In what way does it touch you? Why has it connected with you? Contemplate its meaning. Refrain from judging your experience, or what comes up, just allow yourself to experience whatever arises in this practice.
{Insert Bible Verse Here from a different translation}
Instructions: Sit in silence and then shape a single sentence represents what this word or phrase is speaking to you. Pull out your journal and take a few moments to express yourself. There are many ways to do this. You may choose to draw, color, or write. You are invited to express and share with yourself your thoughts, feelings, and experiences from this practice.
Pray
We will read this Scripture one last time. As we read, ask, “What is Christ asking from me?” Contemplate, as a result of what God is sharing with you in this word or phrase: What do you need to do? What do you need to consider? What do you need to let go of? What do you need to accept? What challenges must you face?
{Insert Bible Verse Here from a third translation}
Let us pray: “Holy Spirit, I ask you to plant this Word in my heart. In the silence that follows, continue to pray for the grace of the Holy Spirit.”
Instructions: Speak your prayers to God either aloud or in the silence of your heart. When you are ready, take a few moments to express yourself. There are many ways to do this. You may choose to draw, color, or write in your journal. You are invited to express and share with yourself your thoughts, feelings, and experiences from this practice.
Conclusion
Instructions: Now that this practice is done, move into your day and hold this verse and the gift of your practice in your mind and in your heart.
Join our Lectio Divina Facebook Group
If you would like support in your practice, we invite you to join the Christ Lives in You Lectio Divina group on Facebook.