Lectio Divina Template 121

 "You yourself created my inmost parts."

We invite you to a few minutes of silence before we begin our prayer time together.

Take a deep breath and breathe in the breath of God, knowing by faith that God breathes into us the breath of life.

CONTEMPLATIVE / SILENT PRAYER

Our Centering Prayer sit is 20 - 30 minutes sounded by the chime/chant.  At the end of the Prayer sit, we will linger in silence a few minutes, then follow by praying together the Our Father.

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LECTIO DIVINA: Listening to the Word of God with the ears of our heart [See Chopping Wood (or Carrots) Under the Gaze of God for a discussion of Lectio Divina]. 

First reading & silent reflection:  Reflect in silence.

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LECTIO: from Psalm 139: 1-5; 12-17

¹ Lord, you have searched me out and known me; 

               you know my sitting down and my rising up;

               you discern my thoughts from afar.

² You trace my journeys and my resting-places 

               and are acquainted with all my ways.

³ Indeed, there is not a word on my lips, 

               but you, O Lord, know it altogether.

⁴ You press upon me behind and before 

               and lay your hand upon me.

⁵ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; 

               it is so high that I cannot attain to it.

¹² For you yourself created my inmost parts; 

               you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

¹³ I will thank you because I am marvelously made; 

               your works are wonderful, and I know it well.

Second reading & reflection: What word or phrase catches your attention? Share or pass.

Third reading & reflection:  How does this word or phrase touch your life? Share or pass.

Fourth and last reading & silent reflection:  How is God inviting you to grow?  We will reflect in silence for a few moments before we move from Lectio Prayer to the teaching by Father Keating.

Teaching: 

When we sit in Centering Prayer, introduce our sacred symbol, and enter a certain degree of rest, our defenses go down. The growth of interior silence along with our growing trust in God, enables us to face the dark side of our personality. We know that God knows us through and through, and still loves us. In fact, God could not be more delighted to provide this information. Grace enables us to evacuate negative emotions that are stuck in our nervous system, hindering the free flow of pure love that leads to divine transformation.

~Thomas Keating, The Better part, p 63.

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We now take some time to share our thoughts and reflections on our own spiritual journey and our prayer practice.  Followed by brief prayers of intercession. Share or pass.

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Go in the name of Christ Jesus to love and serve the Lord.  Thanks be to God!

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[This is an adapted format courtesy of Martha Johnston, Contemplative Outreach of Maryland and Washington, DC]