Devotionals
    April 1st, 2006

    Pastor Herb gave a devotional on "Using Scripture and Meditation in Prayer" which is based on Lectio
    Divina (Divine Reading). Here are some notes from the devotional.

    Prayer is the channel of fellowship and communication with the true and living God. Prayer is where the mortal,
    weak human being meets the all wise, omnipotent and ever loving Creator. It is the meeting place where Divine
    and human desires are discussed. Prayer is a personal contact with God himself.

    The Process for Individuals:

    CHOOSE a text of the Scriptures that you wish to pray or use the text that is part of your daily quiet time.

    PLACE YOURSELF in a comfortable position and allow yourself to become silent.

    LISTENING: Then turn to the text and read it slowly, gently. Savor each portion of the reading, constantly
    listening for the "still, small voice" of a word or phrase that somehow says "I am for you today".

    MEDITATE: Next take the word or phrase into yourself. Memorize it and slowly repeat it to yourself, allowing it
    to interact with your inner world of concerns, memories, and ideas. Do not be afraid of "distractions".

    PRAYING: Then speak to God. Whether you use words, ideas, images, or all three is not important. Interact
    with God as you would with one who you know loves and accepts you. And give to Him what you have
    discovered in yourself during the experience.

    FINALLY, Simply rest in God's embrace. And when he invites you to return to your pondering of His word or to
    your inner dialogue with Him, do so. Learn to use words when words are helpful, and to let go of words when
    they are no longer necessary.

    JOURNAL: This process lends itself quite readily to jouraling your daily quiet time with God.

    The Process for a Community (our group applied Matthew 6:6-8 (NIV) to this process):

    LISTENING: For the gentle touch of the word (Literal Sense)
    1. One person reads aloud (twice) the passage of scripture as others are attentive to some segment that is
    especially meaningful to them.
    2. Silence for 1-2 minutes. Each hears and silently repeats a word or phrase that attracts.
    3. Sharing aloud: A simple statement of one or a few words that has attracted each person with no elaboration.

    MEDITATING: How the word speaks to me (The Alegorical Sense)
    4. Second reading of same passage by another person.
    5. Silence for 2-3 minutes. Reflect on "Where does the content of this reading touch my life today?"
    6. Sharing aloud: Briefly: "I hear, I see ..."

    PRAYING: What the word invites me to do (The Moral Sense)
    7. Third reading by still another person.
    8. Silence for 2-3 minutes. Reflect on "I believe that God wants me to ...today/this week"
    9. Sharing aloud: in a prayer form a somewhat greater length the results of each one's reflection.