Step #1: Lectio / ReadClick 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. Step #2: Meditatio / MeditateUse the following meditation to help you reflect more deeply on the Scripture (you may want to read the passage again). Wow, the Gospel is packed with so much good stuff that I could go on for pages and pages! I will spare you my rambling and focus on one small part that some might gloss over due to depth of the reading. Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.” Such a simple request and so very human of Him to say. I don’t know about you, but I sometimes put too much pressure on myself to keep going deeper in the Faith, to pray enough, to reflect enough, to evangelize enough, to read the catechism, to read the lives of the Saints, to attend daily Mass, to attend Adoration, to go to confession regularly. Do you ever feel like your daily prayer life is a bunch of check boxes and you sometimes feel overwhelmed? Or maybe you feel inadequate and compare yourself to other’s journeys and wish you experienced what they have? Or maybe you just feel like you don’t know how to pray or don’t have enough time to do it ‘right’? “Come, have breakfast.” Prayer is communication with God. He wants us to have breakfast with Him like we would a friend and just talk. He wants us to share with Him our struggles, our pains, our triumphs and our joy. He just wants our time. I am sure He would be pleased if we thanked Him and shared how grateful we are for all the blessings He has given us. I say my blessings out loud to Him so that Satan and the evil spirits who try to bring me down hear me because they cannot read my mind. Let’s try to focus on spending time with our best friend, Our Savior, Our Salvation today. Let’s speak out loud so we can quiet the outside world and the competing thoughts – just like we would when we have breakfast with a friend. Oh, and don’t forget to let Jesus speak by allowing moments of silence. No friend likes it when you dominate the conversation. Now go, have breakfast with Jesus! Step #3: Oratio / PrayThese 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 ever feel like your daily prayer life is a bunch of check boxes and you sometimes feel overwhelmed? Do you feel inadequate and compare yourself to other’s journeys and wish you experienced what they have? Do you just feel like you don’t know how to pray or don’t have enough time to do it ‘right’? Step #4: Contemplatio / ContemplateIn 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. "I'm sitting here with you Lord." "I want you to be my best friend Lord." "I am enough because I am a child of God." Step #5: Actio / ActIn 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? Make a plan today to sit down tomorrow and have breakfast with the Lord. Sit with the Lord and say good morning while you have your coffee, tea, orange juice, or just a tall glass of iced water. Spend time with him just having a simple conversation. Determine what time you'll sit with the Lord for breakfast tomorrow, write it down, and keep the appointment. Smartphone Lock ScreenThe 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. Today’s Prayer was prepared by Kendra Von Esh, a Speaker and Author, inspiring others to lead with compassion and enrich their lives through faith and prayer.
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. Comments are closed.
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