Lectio Divina
Pondering the word of God has been a method of prayer for Carmelites for many centuries. In this we take as a model, Mary the mother of Jesus.
Mary, the woman of Nazareth, was wholly attentive to the action of God in her life. As a young woman she responded wholehearteldly to God's will in and through her. In our desire to follow God, we echo the "Yes" of Mary. With her we ponder God's word and seek God's will for us. Each of the following texts from scripture tells of the encounter of the attentive heart to the will of God. Read each passage slowly and allow God to speak to you through the text. From the earliest times in the Christian tradition, people have used the Bible to nourish their prayer. A style of prayer and life called Lectio Divina allows us to be immersed in a prayerful reading of scriptures so that they can echo within our lives and be acknowledged as our own story. in this way we encounter the Living god in the word's and experiences of God's people and find ourselves amongst their number.
THE MOVEMENT OF LECTIO DIVINA
We invite the Holy Spirit to direct our prayer.
TEXTS FOR PRAYER
Isaiah 6: 1-9. I heard the voice of God saying, "Whom shall I send?" ... And I said, "Here am I; send me!"
Zephaniah 3: 14-20. Rejoice and exult with all you heart ... you shall ferar no more ... God will renew you with His love.
Jeremiah 1: 14-20. Before i formed you in the womb I knew you ... Do not be afraid.
Luke 5: 1-11. Simon Peter fell down at Jesus' knees saying, "Go away from me Lord; for I am a sinful man!" ... Jesus said, "Do not be afriad" ... They left everything and followed Him.
Luke 8: 4-15. Jesus called out, "Let anyone with ears to hear listen! ... the ones who, when they hear the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, bear fruit".
John 1: 35-39. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, "What are you looking for?" They answered "Where are you ataying?" He replied, "Comae and see".
Romans 12: 1-2. Be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God.
James 5: 7-11. Be patient, beloved ... strengthen your hearts, for the coming of God is near ... God is comapssionate and merciful.
1Thessalonians 5: 16-24. The one who calls you is faithful.
Mary, the woman of Nazareth, was wholly attentive to the action of God in her life. As a young woman she responded wholehearteldly to God's will in and through her. In our desire to follow God, we echo the "Yes" of Mary. With her we ponder God's word and seek God's will for us. Each of the following texts from scripture tells of the encounter of the attentive heart to the will of God. Read each passage slowly and allow God to speak to you through the text. From the earliest times in the Christian tradition, people have used the Bible to nourish their prayer. A style of prayer and life called Lectio Divina allows us to be immersed in a prayerful reading of scriptures so that they can echo within our lives and be acknowledged as our own story. in this way we encounter the Living god in the word's and experiences of God's people and find ourselves amongst their number.
THE MOVEMENT OF LECTIO DIVINA
We invite the Holy Spirit to direct our prayer.
- Lectio: reading and listening to the Word of God
- Meditatio: reflecting on the Word and giving the Word space to find an echo in our lives.
- Oratio: the Word touches the heart and in God's Word our own truest longings and desires become prayer.
- Contemplatio: in silence we give God's word freedom in our lives to disturb and console, to give life and to be life.
TEXTS FOR PRAYER
Isaiah 6: 1-9. I heard the voice of God saying, "Whom shall I send?" ... And I said, "Here am I; send me!"
Zephaniah 3: 14-20. Rejoice and exult with all you heart ... you shall ferar no more ... God will renew you with His love.
Jeremiah 1: 14-20. Before i formed you in the womb I knew you ... Do not be afraid.
Luke 5: 1-11. Simon Peter fell down at Jesus' knees saying, "Go away from me Lord; for I am a sinful man!" ... Jesus said, "Do not be afriad" ... They left everything and followed Him.
Luke 8: 4-15. Jesus called out, "Let anyone with ears to hear listen! ... the ones who, when they hear the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, bear fruit".
John 1: 35-39. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, "What are you looking for?" They answered "Where are you ataying?" He replied, "Comae and see".
Romans 12: 1-2. Be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God.
James 5: 7-11. Be patient, beloved ... strengthen your hearts, for the coming of God is near ... God is comapssionate and merciful.
1Thessalonians 5: 16-24. The one who calls you is faithful.
Saints of Carmel
“It is better to talk to God than about God.”
St. Therese of the Child Jesus, Carmelite
