An Example of practicing Lectio Divina
Matthew 8:23-27
23 Then Jesus got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” 26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. 27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”
The Four R’s of Lectio Divina
1. READ Matthew 8:23-27 two to three times, once aloud. Pray the Holy Spirit will give you insight into this reading
2. REFLECT on what the scripture is saying to you in your heart. Maybe it feels like Jesus is asleep in your life. Look for an emotional response to your reading of this scripture.
3. RESPOND to God with your emotion. If you feel like Jesus is sleeping in your life you might pray; God, it feels like you are absent in my life…
4. REST in stillness with your feelings and your communication with God. See if the Holy Spirit has a response to the feelings that came up for you. Maybe the Spirit is nudging you to pray, journal to God, attend church, fellowship with others in a religious group, or read the Bible….more.
Prayer is about a desire to convert ourselves, to act in response to God’s lead.
God bless your journey to bring the Word alive in your life.