Looking to go deeper? Try one of these prayer techniques:
Lectio Divina, (divine reading) is a useful method for letting God speak to you about your life through scripture. Here is how it works:
1. Find a quiet spot where you can relax and be aware of God’s presence. Close your eyes. Take a few deep breaths, breathing in God’s goodness and asking God to be with you during this time of prayer.
2. Slowly and reflectively read the scripture passage. Don’t try to analyze the passage but simply be attentive to a word or phrase that speaks to you. Sit with it for a moment.
3. Re-read the passage, allowing God to speak to you more fully about the word or phrase which resonated with you.
4. Spend a few minutes quietly reflecting on the meaning of the word or phrase that has spoken to you. If it is helpful, you might want to spend some time writing in a journal, sketching in a pad, or molding a piece of clay as a means of letting the scripture speak to you.
5. Bring your reflections to prayer. Speak to God asking for the guidance to live the message that you have received. You can ask for greater clarity or understanding about what resonates.
6. Spend some time in quiet contemplation. Let God speak to you about the message you have received. If your thoughts drift, be patient with yourself.
Lectio Divina, (divine reading) is a useful method for letting God speak to you about your life through scripture. Here is how it works:
1. Find a quiet spot where you can relax and be aware of God’s presence. Close your eyes. Take a few deep breaths, breathing in God’s goodness and asking God to be with you during this time of prayer.
2. Slowly and reflectively read the scripture passage. Don’t try to analyze the passage but simply be attentive to a word or phrase that speaks to you. Sit with it for a moment.
3. Re-read the passage, allowing God to speak to you more fully about the word or phrase which resonated with you.
4. Spend a few minutes quietly reflecting on the meaning of the word or phrase that has spoken to you. If it is helpful, you might want to spend some time writing in a journal, sketching in a pad, or molding a piece of clay as a means of letting the scripture speak to you.
5. Bring your reflections to prayer. Speak to God asking for the guidance to live the message that you have received. You can ask for greater clarity or understanding about what resonates.
6. Spend some time in quiet contemplation. Let God speak to you about the message you have received. If your thoughts drift, be patient with yourself.
Similarly, Visio Divina is a way to let God speak to you through images. Here is one way to approach it:
1. Find a quiet spot where you can relax and be aware of God’s presence. Close your eyes. Take a few deep breaths, breathing in God’s goodness and asking God to be with you during this time of prayer.
2. Open your eyes and view the image associated with the reflection. Pay attention to what you are drawn to within the image. Continue to view the whole image. Close your eyes for a moment.
3. Return to the portion of the image to which you are drawn. Spend some time gazing on that piece of the image. Close your eyes and picture it in your mind’s eye.
4. Open your eyes and return to the part of the image that you have focused on. What words, images, or feelings arise in you? If it is helpful, you might want to spend some time writing in a journal, sketching in a pad, or molding a piece of clay as a means of letting the image speak to you. Close your eyes again.
5. Gaze at the whole image. Bring your reflections to prayer. Speak to God asking for the guidance to live the message that you have received. You can ask for greater clarity or understanding about what resonates.
6. Spend some time in quiet contemplation. Let God speak to you about the message you have received. If your thoughts drift, be patient with yourself.
1. Find a quiet spot where you can relax and be aware of God’s presence. Close your eyes. Take a few deep breaths, breathing in God’s goodness and asking God to be with you during this time of prayer.
2. Open your eyes and view the image associated with the reflection. Pay attention to what you are drawn to within the image. Continue to view the whole image. Close your eyes for a moment.
3. Return to the portion of the image to which you are drawn. Spend some time gazing on that piece of the image. Close your eyes and picture it in your mind’s eye.
4. Open your eyes and return to the part of the image that you have focused on. What words, images, or feelings arise in you? If it is helpful, you might want to spend some time writing in a journal, sketching in a pad, or molding a piece of clay as a means of letting the image speak to you. Close your eyes again.
5. Gaze at the whole image. Bring your reflections to prayer. Speak to God asking for the guidance to live the message that you have received. You can ask for greater clarity or understanding about what resonates.
6. Spend some time in quiet contemplation. Let God speak to you about the message you have received. If your thoughts drift, be patient with yourself.