For-Ev-Er.

Step #1: Lectio / Read

Click the link below or open your Bible to the passage and read through the reading at least once, paying attention to what is happening in the text.

PSALM 136

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Step #2: Meditatio / Meditate

Use the following meditation to help you reflect more deeply on the Scripture (you may want to read the passage again).

His mercy endures forever. We might often hear this, but what does it really mean? Let's break it down. 

Forever. For-ev-er. For-ev-er. When I hear this word I typically think of Squints in The Sandlot dragging it out. The word gets used and abused in our culture. Even cheapened by false comments of forever (like keeping the Beast chained up). But recently I have been reflecting on this three letter word that should carry so much weight. What does forever really mean?

for·ev·er
adverb
1. for all future time; for always.
2. continually.

For all time, continuously for all future time. What a beautiful thing. The word forever, should make us pause and realize the gravity of its use. 

His mercy endures forever. We see that repeated and repeated in today's Psalm. And it should give us pause, for it is a great and beautiful proclamation. 

What does that mean? It means that God's mercy is endless and continuous. And not only is it forever (for-ev-er) but it endures forever. It's not that God's mercy is fleeting or lightly given. The word endures means to suffer, but to last. The word forever is not easy or light, and this is only emphasized by the word endures. 

God's love, His forgiveness, His mercy pales in comparison to our human understanding. It is enduring for whatever we do it will be there. It is unchanging. God offers us his mercy to us just as we are, at our best and at our worst. He offered his mercy for us when His only Son died on the cross. Death did not stop His mercy. Nothing does. 
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God's mercy is hard to understand. But by going back to the basics of understanding forever and endures we can dive a little bit deeper into the great mystery that is His mercy.

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Step #3: Oratio / Pray

These questions are to be used to talk to God; have a conversation with the Lord about these questions and what is going on in your heart as you pray today.

Do you operate as if God's mercy is fleeting?

Do you believe that His Mercy endures forever?

Reflect on the things that stop God's mercy. How many do you believe in your daily life?

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Step #4: Contemplatio / Contemplate

In this step, you listen. Stop talking, let God speak to your heart. You may repeat one of these short phrases to focus your mind on the Lord.

"Your mercy endures forever."

"Your mercy applies to me."

​"Praise you Lord for your mercy."

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Step #5: Actio / Act

In light of today's reading and your time spent in prayer with the Lord, what concrete action or actions will you take to let this encounter with the Lord bear fruit in you today?

Find a way today to share God's mercy with someone else. Do an act of kindness because you want do, not because you have to or because it will be returned. Give without condition like the Lord gives to us.

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Smartphone Lock Screen

The following image is here for you to save and use as a background or lock screen on your smartphone or device to help you carry today's Lectio Divina with you the rest of the day.

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Today's prayer was prepared by Lisa Kendzior, Junior High Youth Minister at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Crystal Lake, IL. 

If you have anything you'd like our team to pray for, please go to the page of our website called "Prayers" and let us know how we can pray for you today.