This Week
Psalm 63:8b
Galatians 3:23-24
Luke 12:7
Psalm 141:1-2
Isaiah 55:8-11
Psalm 66:3
Matthew 14:23
Psalm 37:5-7
Philippians 3:7-9
Genesis 18:13-14
Rest In Stillness
Immanuel Conversation
The Word of Scripture should never stop sounding in your ears and working in you all day long, just like the words of someone you love. And just as you do not analyze the words of someone you love, but accept them as they are said to you, accept the Word of Scripture and ponder it in your heart, as Mary did. That is all . . . Do not ask “How shall I pass this on?” But “What does it say to me?” Then ponder this word long in your heart until it has gone right into you, and taken possession of you.
~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Lectio Divina, also known as “Soaking in Scripture,” is a form of prayer that enables you to deeply engage with the richness and vitality of God’s Word.This method of Bible reading encourages active listening for God’s voice. Begin by reading a scripture passage, then contemplate its significance, respond to God in prayer based on that significance, and ultimately, find solace and stillness in God’s presence without the need for further words. Reading is akin to ingesting food, meditation involves chewing and digesting it, prayer extracts its essence, and contemplation is the sweet enjoyment that uplifts and refreshes.
Lectio Divina Steps to Follow:
lectio - Read a brief Bible passage slowly, then read it again several times. The objective is not to hurry through the Bible but to discern God’s personal message to you.
meditatio - Reflect on the scripture passage, relishing the words that resonate with you. Meditate on these words as you listen for God’s voice speaking to you through them.
oratio - Respond to God. This is a dialogue, not a monologue. Listen to God’s message, then respond to Him. He will hear you.
contemplatio. Rest in God’s presence without the necessity of saying anything. Allow yourself to be enveloped by God’s love and acceptance. This is akin to having a tranquil moment with God. Be still, let go of any distractions, and sense God’s presence within and around you.
grato. Conclude with a gratitude prayer.
Day One
Psalm 63:8b {Message}
Because You have always stood up for me I’m free to run and play. I hold onto You for dear life and You hold me steady as a post.
Galatians 3:23-24 {Message}
Until the time when we were mature enough to respond freely in faith to the living God, we were carefully surrounded and protected by the Mosaic law. The law was like those Greek tutors, with which you are familiar, who escort children to school and protect them from danger or distraction, making sure the children will really get to the place they set out for.
Reset
Still yourself in the moment and invite the Father to join you.
Read
Read the passage below slowly.
Reflect
Engage your senses and contemplate your thoughts.
Respond
Open your heart and ask the Father to reveal His heart.
Rest
Quiet your mind and surrender to the Father's presence.
Release
Release words for gratitude from your heart.
Day Two
Luke 12:7 {Message}
And He pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail - even numbering the hairs on your head! So don't be intimidated by all this bully talk. You're worth more than a million canaries.
Psalm 141:1-2 {Message}
God, come close. Come quickly! Open Your ears - it’s my voice You’re hearing. Treat my prayer as sweet incense rising, my raised hands are my evening prayers.
Reset
Still yourself in the moment and invite the Father to join you.
Read
Read the passage below slowly.
Reflect
Engage your senses and contemplate your thoughts.
Respond
Open your heart and ask the Father to reveal His heart.
Rest
Quiet your mind and surrender to the Father's presence.
Release
Release words for gratitude from your heart.
Day Three
Isaiah 55:8-11 {Message}
You don’t think the way you think. The way you work isn’t the way I work. God’s Decree. For as the sky soars high above earth, so the way I work surpasses the way you work, and the way I think is beyond the way you think.
Just as rain and snow descend from the skies and don’t go back until they’ve watered the earth, doing their work of making things grow and blossom, producing seed for farmers and food for the hungry, so will the words that come out of My mouth not come back empty-handed. They’ll do the work I sent them to do, they’ll complete the assignment I gave them.
Psalm 66:3 {Message}
Say of God, We've never seen anything like Him! When Your enemies see You in action, they slink off like scolded dogs.
Reset
Still yourself in the moment and invite the Father to join you.
Read
Read the passage below slowly.
Reflect
Engage your senses and contemplate your thoughts.
Respond
Open your heart and ask the Father to reveal His heart.
Rest
Quiet your mind and surrender to the Father's presence.
Release
Release words for gratitude from your heart.
Day Four
Matthew 14:23 {Message}
With the crowd dispersed, He climbed the mountain so He could be by Himself and pray. He stayed there alone, late into the night.
Psalm 37:5-7 {Message}
Open up before God, keep nothing back; He’ll do whatever needs to be done. He’ll validate your life in the clear light of day and stamp you with approval at high noon.
Quiet down before God, be prayerful before Him. Don’t bother with those who climb the ladder, who elbow their way to the top.
Reset
Still yourself in the moment and invite the Father to join you.
Read
Read the passage below slowly.
Reflect
Engage your senses and contemplate your thoughts.
Respond
Open your heart and ask the Father to reveal His heart.
Rest
Quiet your mind and surrender to the Father's presence.
Release
Release words for gratitude from your heart.
Day Five
Philippians 3:7-9 {Message}
The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I’m tearing up and throwing out with the trash—along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ. Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I’ve dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by Him. I didn’t want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ—God’s righteousness.
Genesis 18:13-14 {Message}
God said to Abraham, Why did Sarah laugh saying, ‘Me? Have a baby? An old woman like me?’ Is anything too hard for God? I’ll be back about this time next year and Sarah will have a baby.
Reset
Still yourself in the moment and invite the Father to join you.
Read
Read the passage below slowly.
Reflect
Engage your senses and contemplate your thoughts.
Respond
Open your heart and ask the Father to reveal His heart.
Rest
Quiet your mind and surrender to the Father's presence.
Release
Day Six: Rest in stillness today.
Day Seven: Immanuel Conversation
Immanuel Conversation is a practice for deepening your relationship with God by pausing to reflect and listen for His gentle voice. This dialogue with Immanuel (“God with us”) encourages honest self-exploration and spiritual connection.
Follow these steps to open your heart to God’s voice:
Pause and Breathe: Take several deep breaths to create calm and clarity.
Express Gratitude: Share your thanks with God and invite His response.
Dear God, I am thankful for...
My beloved child, {pause and listen for God’s gentle reply}
Create a quiet space to listen to God.
I see you. {Reflect on what God observes in your feelings and sensations.}
I can hear you. {Notice the thoughts and feelings God hears within you.}
You are valued and understood. {Acknowledge God’s care and imagine His comforting words.}
I delight in you. {Consider the kindness and compassion God shares.}
I can help you. {Ponder how God may support you now.}
Review what you wrote. Pause and be still.
Close with a brief prayer of gratitude.
Share your experience with someone you trust.