A Tradition of Prayer Lectio Divina First-Plymouth Congregational Church United Church of Christ 2000 "D" Street Lincoln, Nebraska 68502-1698 Office (402) 476-7565 Fax (402) 476-8402

From the Prayer Room
of First-Plymouth Congregational Church
Lincoln, Nebraska

A Resource for Everyone Seeking Spiritual Growth Through Prayer

Welcome

    We welcome you to First-Plymouth Church's Prayer Room. The devotional materials you will find here are provided to give you a chance to spend a few minutes in prayer and meditation. This session introduces you to a simple form of prayer that can be used by anyone during the course of a busy day. 
    The Five-Minute Prayer is for all of those people who think that they do not have time for prayer because of the demands of modern society; or for those who don't feel comfortable with more "traditional" verbal prayers. The focus of this prayer is simply setting a brief time aside to be with God.

 

Lectio Divina
Accepting the Embrace of God

"...you shall be my people and I shall be your God."

--Ezekiel 36:28b

    An old episode of the TV western Wagon Train involved the theme of power. In it, the Wagon Master, who had to be away from the train for several weeks, left his assistant—a proud and conscientious individual—in charge. This assistant, because he demanded a great deal of himself, demanded a great deal from the others with whom he worked. He came down especially hard on an adolescent boy who had been entrusted to his care. At one point, the man had the boy take on a task that led to an accident that threatened the boy’s life.
    The man went out into the desert during the night to ask God to spare the boy’s life. A violent storm came up as he talked to God. In the darkness, the wind blew, lightening flashed, and rain battered the man. Seeing this as a sign that God wanted more of him, he shouted to God, “No, no! Don’t’ make me get down on my knees! Anything but that!”
    But in the end, that was exactly what he had to do. This proud and powerful man realized he was not in control of the situation. God was—no matter what the outcome might be.

    How often do we enter prayer with the attitude that we are somehow in control of things? Even when we tell God “your will be done” or that we are “turning this over to you” we presume to be in a position to give God permission to help us. We treat God as if God were some younger sibling who needed our ‘leave’ in order to do something for us.
    How often do we engage in prayers where we are so busy telling God our needs, our fears, our concerns, and our appreciation for the divine job-well-done that we miss what God is trying to communicate to us.
    The ancient form of prayer called lectio divina helps us get past our need to tell God how to run things. It helps us let go of our desire to have power in our relationship with God, and allows us to let God be God. In the lectio, God speaks to us through the guided reading a brief passage from scripture several times.
    This form of meditative prayer comes at a price, though. Once we open ourselves to God, we have to be prepared to really experience God communicating with us! This can be a humbling and frightening experience.

Background to the Lectio Divina

    Lectio divina (which can be translated as “divine or sacred reading”) can help the individual become more attune to God’s presence. 
    When we usual think of prayer, we think of prayers of petition, thanksgiving, or confession. In these forms of prayer the one praying actively speaks to God. Lectio divina is different in that the one praying waits to experience God’s presence with him or her. Central to this type of prayer is the lectio or reading of a brief passage from scripture, which helps the individual become open to God’s word.
    The origins of the lectio divina are unknown. Perhaps it is based on Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 7:7:

    Ask—and it will be given,

    Seek—and you will find,

    Knock—and the door will be opened to you.

 

John of the Cross expanded this to:

    Seek in reading,

    And you will find in meditation,

    Knock in prayer,

    And it will be opened to you in contemplation.

 

        In the Middle Ages a monk systematized this into four steps:

1.  Lectio (reading of a passage from scripture)

2.  Meditatio (meditation on the passage)

3. Oratio (praying or speaking simply and briefly)

4. Contemplatio (silent contemplation while waiting for God)

This had become the standard pattern for lectio divina. However, the form can be expanded or changed to meet the needs of the individual or community of faith.

Lectio Divina

Preparation—Select the passage from scripture you will be using. Dim the room lights if possible. Light a candle. Move into a comfortable position, such as sitting upright in a chair with both feet on the floor, hands resting in your lap. Take a couple “cleansing” breaths (not too deep) and begin.

Lectio—Slowly read the passage from scripture. Pay close attention to what is being said. Focus on a word or phrase that catches your attention. Silently repeat the word or phrase to yourself. (1-2 minutes)

Meditatio—Slowly read the passage again. Think about the passage. What feelings or emotions does it stir within you? What part or parts of the passage touch your own life today? (2-3 minutes)

Oratio—Slowly read the passage a third time. Focus on a single word or phrase that stands out in your mind or moves your heart. Silently ask God to speak to you through that word or phrase. Avoid the temptation to say more. This is God’s time to speak to you, not yours to talk to God. (1 minute)

Contemplatio—Slowly read the passage a final time. Then, sit in silence, open to God’s presence. If a thought comes into your mind, recognize its presence, let go of it, and return to your silence contemplation. Let the presence of God’s spirit move through you communicating to you in whatever way it chooses. (3 minutes)

Return—At the end of the time, take a couple slow breaths as you prepare to end the time of prayer. Remember that God will continue to be with you.

The Benedictine monks of St. Andrew’s Abbey suggest a final step: 

Operatio (action)—Return to your family, friends, tasks, and community carrying your experience with you as you go.

Possible Passages from Scripture 
to Use in the Lectio Divina

Hebrew Scripture

Genesis 1:1-3                       1 Kings 19:7-13

    Genesis 7:11-16                    Psalm 23:1-3

    Exodus 3:1-6                        Isaiah 55:1-2

    Exodus 15:20-24                   Ezekiel 36:26-28

 

Christian Scripture

    Matthew 5:14-16                   Luke 18:9-14

    Matthew 8:23-27                   John 5:2-9a

    Mark 1:14-15                        John 10:1-6

    Mark 4:26-29                        Romans 12:1-2

    Luke 13:18-21                       2 Corinthians 4:16-18

 

Seasons of the Christian Year

Advent (Beginning the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day)
    James 5:7-10                 Luke 1:46-55

Season of Christmas (Ends January 5)
    John 1:1-5                     Galatians 4:4-7

Season of Epiphany (Beginning January 6)
    Isaiah 60:1-6                 Psalm 40:1-4

Lent (Beginning on Ash Wednesday)
    Psalm 51:1                    Psalm 32:1-6

Season of Easter (Beginning Easter Sunday)
    Isaiah 12:2-6                 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8

Pentecost (Fifty days after Easter)
    Mark 1:14-17                 John 7:37-38

Season after Pentecost (Beginning the Sunday after Pentecost)
    Luke 10:38-42                Luke 18:9-14

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Prepared for First-Plymouth Congregational Church United Church of Christ, Lincoln, NE.  

The Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ n the U.S.A. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

    If you would like to have a special prayer request added to First-Plymouth Church's prayer list, or if you have a concern you would like to share with our staff, please e-mail us through the Rev. Nancy Erickson
.