Lectio Divina is a Christian monastic practice.
It stands for divine reading.
And it's not necessarily a Bible study as it is a means of engaging with the words.
And we use the words to have a deeper connection not only to the words that we hear but our connection to God.
So we let go of analyzing and we just let certain words speak to us at that particular moment.
So wherever you are be sure to get comfortable whether it's sitting up or lying down.
And ask the Holy Spirit to guide you and hold you in this practice.
So I'm going to read this passage four times and I'll guide you in each part of the reading.
So this is from Philippians chapter 4 verses 6 through 9.
So the first reading we just listen to the words as if we're hearing them for the first time.
So we don't want to analyze we don't want to say what does this mean we just hear them.
So this is Philippians chapter 4.
Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your request to God.
And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally brothers whatever is true whatever is noble whatever is right whatever is pure whatever is lovely whatever is admirable if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things.
Whatever you've learned or received or heard from me or seen in me put it into practice and the God of peace will be with you.
And maybe you've heard it for the first time or maybe you've heard it and maybe it speaks to you in a different way.
So the second time we read it it's just the meditation.
And so a word a phrase may emerge from this passage and you allow it to beat in your heart.
So I'll read the passage for a second time and see if a word a phrase resonates with you at this time of your life.
Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your request to God.
And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally whatever is true whatever is noble whatever is right whatever is pure whatever is lovely whatever is admirable if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things.
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me or seen in me put it into practice and the God of peace will be with you.
So a word or phrase resonated with you and repeat those words to yourself.
So the third reading is the ratio.
And so after you hear the words see if a prayer emerges.
So this is where you get to speak.
This is the third reading ratio.
Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your requests to God and the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally brothers whatever is true whatever is noble whatever is right whatever is pure whatever is lovely whatever is admirable if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things.
Whatever you've learned or received or heard from me or seen in me put it into practice and the God of peace will be with you.
So what do you need to speak to God as a result of this.
This might be a prayer of thanksgiving this might be a prayer of worship might be a prayer of petition.
This is your time to speak.
Now the fourth reading is the contemplation.
This is where we rest in the words and we remain silent.
So this is the fourth reading of Philippians chapter 4.
Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your requests to God and the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally brothers whatever is true whatever is noble whatever is right whatever is pure whatever is lovely whatever is admirable if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things.
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me or seen in me put it into practice and the God of peace will be with you.
This is when we rest in the words so we take a few moments to see what God wants to tell us now.
So if your mind has gone astray let's bring it back to where you are in this moment.
And always just know that these words that have resonated with you will always be there to return throughout your day throughout your week throughout your month throughout your life.
And even if you return to the same passage there might be some words or phrases or something that might speak to you differently.
So when you ground yourself in sacred passages it's a good center it's a good way of allowing yourself to take a few moments to rest in words that inspire and words that cultivate the goodness in your own heart.
And then of course with everything whatever you've cultivated into in this practice see how you can extend that feeling of beauty compassion love truth and extend that to those that you might meet today because the goodness that we cultivate in our meditation our prayer practice is not to be stored away but to be given away freely.
The more you give the more that you'll receive.
Many blessings to you.
