DISCIPLESHIP
Practices of prayer through Scripture help us know and love Christ in a real way. They involve deeper reflection on a Gospel passage so that we can connect our inner lives with the living God. Through these practices of contemplation and prayer, we come to the Bible seeking to be with God and experience Him through Scripture.
Below are two approaches: Gospel Contemplation, formalized by St. Ignatius Loyola, who founded the Jesuit order in the Catholic Church, and Lectio Divina, an ancient spiritual practice from the monastic tradition.
Practices of prayer through Scripture help us know and love Christ in a real way. They involve deeper reflection on a Gospel passage so that we can connect our inner lives with the living God. Through these practices of contemplation and prayer, we come to the Bible seeking to be with God and experience Him through Scripture.
Below are two approaches: Gospel Contemplation, formalized by St. Ignatius Loyola, who founded the Jesuit order in the Catholic Church, and Lectio Divina, an ancient spiritual practice from the monastic tradition.
Gospel Contemplation
Select a passage from one of the Gospels in which Jesus is interacting with others.
Remember that God is present. Rely on Him. Reflect on the purpose of your time with Him.
Read the Gospel passage twice so that the story and its details become familiar.
Close your eyes and reconstruct the scene in your imagination. See what is going on and watch the men and women in the scene. What does Jesus look like? How do the others react to him? What are the people saying to one another? What emotions fill their words? Is Jesus touching someone? As you enter into the scene, do you sense a desire to be there? If so, place yourself in the story, perhaps as an observer, as one lining up for healing, or as one helping others to Jesus.
Some people’s imaginations are very active, so they can easily construct a movie-like scenario with a Gospel passage. Others will enter the scene with verbal imagination, reflecting on the scene and mulling over the actions. Vividness is not a criteria for the effectiveness of this kind of prayer – engagement is, and the result is a more intimate knowledge of Jesus.
As you finish this time of prayer, take a moment to speak with Christ and pour out your heart to Him.
Gospel Contemplation
Select a passage from one of the Gospels in which Jesus is interacting with others.
Remember that God is present. Rely on Him. Reflect on the purpose of your time with Him.
Read the Gospel passage twice so that the story and its details become familiar.
Close your eyes and reconstruct the scene in your imagination. See what is going on and watch the men and women in the scene. What does Jesus look like? How do the others react to him? What are the people saying to one another? What emotions fill their words? Is Jesus touching someone? As you enter into the scene, do you sense a desire to be there? If so, place yourself in the story, perhaps as an observer, as one lining up for healing, or as one helping others to Jesus.
Some people’s imaginations are very active, so they can easily construct a movie-like scenario with a Gospel passage. Others will enter the scene with verbal imagination, reflecting on the scene and mulling over the actions. Vividness is not a criteria for the effectiveness of this kind of prayer – engagement is, and the result is a more intimate knowledge of Jesus.
As you finish this time of prayer, take a moment to speak with Christ and pour out your heart to Him.
Lectio Divina
Preparation: Find a passage of Scripture to pray with (shorter is better) in a quiet place where you are comfortable and free from distractions. If you’d like, you can use an object like a candle to remind yourself of God’s presence.
Silence: Take a moment to rest, relaxing in God’s presence. With each breath, become aware of God’s love for you. Say a simple prayer offering yourself to God and welcoming whatever the Holy Spirit has for you.
Reading: Begin by gently reading the passage of Scripture aloud or listening to it through an app. Slow down and try to be mindful of each word and phrase. The goal is not to skim through the passage quickly, but to let the words sink in, and to be aware of God’s presence. This might mean reading the text 2-3 times.
– First reading: Slow down and notice.
– Pause and just breathe between readings.
– Second reading and third reading: Identify a word or short phrase that speaks to you.
Meditation: Now, let the Scriptures “read” you. Use the word or phrase to guide your time of reflection and self-examination. How does the reading apply to you and your circumstances? Invite God to speak to you.
Prayer: After allowing God and his Scripture to have the first word, it’s now time for you to respond through gratitude, confession, worry, joy, or any other emotion or reaction you may have to the Scriptures.
Contemplation: Rest in God’s presence. Spend time in silence and be open to what God has to say. Receive His forgiveness, assurance, or whatever he may have for you. Give space and time for God to be your loving Heavenly Father to you.
Rumination: As you finish your time, take the special word or phrase from the reading with you. Return to it throughout the day as a starting point in prayer or as a reminder of God’s presence with you, in your work, in your stress, and in your play.
Lectio Divina
Preparation: Find a passage of Scripture to pray with (shorter is better) in a quiet place where you are comfortable and free from distractions. If you’d like, you can use an object like a candle to remind yourself of God’s presence.
Silence: Take a moment to rest, relaxing in God’s presence. With each breath, become aware of God’s love for you. Say a simple prayer offering yourself to God and welcoming whatever the Holy Spirit has for you.
Reading: Begin by gently reading the passage of Scripture aloud or listening to it through an app. Slow down and try to be mindful of each word and phrase. The goal is not to skim through the passage quickly, but to let the words sink in, and to be aware of God’s presence. This might mean reading the text 2-3 times.
– First reading: Slow down and notice.
– Pause and just breathe between readings.
– Second reading and third reading: Identify a word or short phrase that speaks to you.
Meditation: Now, let the Scriptures “read” you. Use the word or phrase to guide your time of reflection and self-examination. How does the reading apply to you and your circumstances? Invite God to speak to you.
Prayer: After allowing God and his Scripture to have the first word, it’s now time for you to respond through gratitude, confession, worry, joy, or any other emotion or reaction you may have to the Scriptures.
Contemplation: Rest in God’s presence. Spend time in silence and be open to what God has to say. Receive His forgiveness, assurance, or whatever he may have for you. Give space and time for God to be your loving Heavenly Father to you.
Rumination: As you finish your time, take the special word or phrase from the reading with you. Return to it throughout the day as a starting point in prayer or as a reminder of God’s presence with you, in your work, in your stress, and in your play.