Stop & ReflectStop & ReflectSlowing Down; Seeing GodSlowing Down; Seeing God

““Blessed are those who seek GodBlessed are those who seek Godwith their whole heart.”with their whole heart.”

~ The Psalmist~ The Psalmist

Lectio DivinaLectio DivinaSacred ReadingSacred Reading

LectioLectio ReadingReading

• Slow, deliberate readingSlow, deliberate reading

• Imagine yourself sitting before GodImagine yourself sitting before God

• Listening intently to the words He speaksListening intently to the words He speaks

• A word or phrase might grab your attentionA word or phrase might grab your attention

MeditatioMeditatio MeditationMeditation

• What stands out as important?What stands out as important?

• No right or wrong answerNo right or wrong answer

• What emotions do you sense as you read?What emotions do you sense as you read?

• Same text for all, different feelingsSame text for all, different feelings

OratioOratio PrayerPrayer

• Ask for illuminationAsk for illumination

• Understanding of what’s been highlightedUnderstanding of what’s been highlighted

• See the meaning of the thought/feelingSee the meaning of the thought/feeling

• Why has this word/emotion been strongWhy has this word/emotion been strong

• What does God want you to understand?What does God want you to understand?

ContemplatioContemplatio ContemplationContemplation

• Think through what you’ve experiencedThink through what you’ve experienced

• What has God been saying to you?What has God been saying to you?

• What is His challenge to you?What is His challenge to you?

• What does He want you to know as truth?What does He want you to know as truth?

• What does He want you to do?What does He want you to do?

Silence...Silence...

Be still,Be still,and know and know

that that I am God I am God

Psalm 46:10Psalm 46:10

Prayer...Prayer...

Hear my prayer, O God;Hear my prayer, O God;listen to the words listen to the words

of my mouth. of my mouth. Psalm 54:2 Psalm 54:2

Breathing...Breathing...

Then Jesus breathed on themThen Jesus breathed on themand said,and said,

“receive the Holy Spirit.”“receive the Holy Spirit.”John 20:22John 20:22

Silence...Silence...

Jesus said to them, Jesus said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a "Come with me by yourselves to a

quiet place and get some rest." quiet place and get some rest." Mark 6:31Mark 6:31

LectioLectio ReadingReading

MeditatioMeditatio MeditationMeditation

OratioOratio PrayerPrayer

ContemplatioContemplatio ContemplationContemplation

Silence...Silence...