In this Lectio Divina way of praying with scripture,
I'll read the passage four times with guidance and silence between each reading for your prayerful reflection.
Now it is time.
It's time to rest and consent to the healing presence of God within through the written and spoken words of this scripture,
Psalm 139.
With eyes closed,
Sit comfortably yet attentively,
Relaxing your body with each gentle inhale and exhale.
Let us enter into the inner room of Christ.
Receive and believe.
Most high God,
You search me.
You know me better than I even know myself.
You know all my ways,
My thoughts,
Even the words I speak when I sit,
When I rise,
When I walk or lie down.
You surround me and shield me.
You lay your hand upon me and it's truly amazing and beyond my understanding how deeply you know and love me.
Where could I go that your spirit isn't with me?
Could I ever escape your watchful,
Loving presence?
If I ascend into heaven,
You are there,
Or make my bed in the depths of despair,
You are there with me.
Your hand will hold me tight as your right hand guides me through the night.
Even if I find myself in darkness and would try to hide,
The dark is not dark for you.
Even the night is as light as the day.
For you formed my inmost being.
You knit me together in my mother's womb.
I give you thanks,
For I am wonderfully made.
In the depth of the womb you ordained my life,
You see only your beloved when you see me.
Search me,
My God,
For you know my heart.
Take away my anxious thoughts and remove any offensive way.
Lead me on your path forever.
After this first reading,
What word,
Or perhaps a phrase in particular,
Caught your attention?
As you reflect on it,
What is stirring in you?
Remember yourself,
Speak it out loud.
My most high God.
You search me,
You know me,
Better than I even know myself.
You know all my ways,
My thoughts,
Even the words I speak,
When I sit,
When I rise,
When I walk,
When I lie down.
You surround me and you shield me.
You lay your hand upon me,
And it's truly amazing and beyond my understanding how deeply you know and love me.
Where could I go that your spirit isn't with me?
Could I ever escape your watchful,
Loving presence?
If I ascend into heaven,
You are there,
Or make my bed in the depths of despair,
You are there with me.
Your hand will hold me tight,
As your right hand guides me even through the night.
If I find myself in darkness and would try to hide,
The dark is not dark for you.
Even the night is as light as the day.
For you formed my inmost being.
You knit me together in my mother's womb.
I give you thanks for them wonderfully made,
And in the depth of the womb you ordained my life.
You see only your beloved when you see me.
So search me,
My God,
For you know my heart,
You know my whole being.
Take away my anxious thoughts,
Remove any offensive way in me,
And lead me on your path forever.
Hear this reading,
What are you noticing now?
What is the movement within you?
What's the spirit revealing to you?
Again,
You may speak it out loud,
Hear the words on your lips,
And sensing them in your heart.
Next high God,
You search me,
You know me,
Better than I even know myself.
You know all my ways,
My thoughts,
Even the words I speak.
You know when I sit,
When I rise,
When I walk or lie down.
You surround me and shield me.
You lay your hand upon me,
And it's truly amazing and beyond my understanding how deeply you know and love me.
Where could I go that your spirit isn't with me?
Could I ever escape your watchful loving presence?
If I ascend into heaven you are there,
Or if I make my bed in the depths of despair you are there with me.
Your hand will hold me tight as your right hand guides me even through the night.
If I find myself in darkness and would try to hide,
The dark is not dark for you,
Even the night is as light as the day.
For you formed my inmost being,
You knit me together in my mother's womb.
I give you thanks,
For I am wonderfully made.
In the depth of the womb you ordained my life.
You see only your beloved when you see me.
Search me,
My God,
For you know my heart.
Take away my anxious thoughts and remove any offensive way and lead me on your path forever.
And as you let these words sink deeper into you,
What is your response?
What is your desire or longing?
What is your prayer?
What do you need from God?
Most high God,
You search me,
You know me,
Better than I even know myself.
You know all my ways,
My thoughts,
Even the words I speak,
When I sit,
When I rise,
When I walk or lie down.
You surround me and you shield me.
You lay your hand upon me.
It's truly amazing and beyond my understanding how deeply you know and love me.
Where could I go that your spirit isn't with me?
Could I ever escape your watchful loving presence?
If I ascend into heaven,
You are there,
Or if I make my bed in the depths of despair,
You are there with me.
Your hand will hold me tight as your right hand guides me through the night.
Even if I find myself in darkness and would try to hide,
The dark is not dark for you.
Even the night is as light as the day.
For you formed my inmost being.
You knit me together in my mother's womb.
I give you thanks,
For I am wonderfully made,
And in the depth of the womb you ordained my life.
You see only your beloved when you see me.
Reach me,
My God,
For you know my heart and my being.
Take away my anxious thoughts.
Remove any offensive way and lead me on your path forever.
And now,
What word,
What phrase,
Image,
Or understanding is resonating within you?
Breathe with it.
Let it remain with you throughout your day.
May the Spirit of the Living God fall fresh on you,
Remind you of who you truly are,
Fully known and loved,
And may the Spirit bring you everlasting peace and joy.
Let it be so.
Amen.
