His Will Be Done

1/17/2019

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.

Mark 1:40-45

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).

I am in a constant battle with myself while I pray. Maybe it’s due to pride, or lack of faith. Either way, I am not really sure. What I do know is that when I pray, my heart and my head are at war with each other. My head knows the power of God, it knows that God has the ability to answer my prayers, and to do so abundantly. However, my heart knows all those things, but struggles to truly grasp them in the way my head does. My heart says “God, I know you can, but…” and that “but” is the doubt, usually caused by over thinking things or feeling undeserving of whatever it is I am praying for. I know that this may not be something you struggle with, but maybe you do know exactly what I am talking about. Regardless, it can be really hard to humble yourself and just let God love you.

In today’s Gospel, we see a man who humbly seeks the Lord with great faith and just let’s Christ love him. I think what is most striking about the leper in this story is what he says to Christ. He says, “If you wish, you can make me clean”. It is just so simple, so exact, so precise, and so real. The leper, with great faith and humility, is leaving this in Christ’s hands. He knows in his mind Christ has the power to heal him, and he also knows in his heart that Christ can do it. He asks Christ to heal him and when he does ask, he is effectively saying to Christ “let your will be done.” For us, this is really the greatest prayer we could pray and that is why Christ gave it to us in the Lord’s Prayer. We can see the power of this prayer’s humble petition here with the leper, and we too can experience that same power of Christ in our lives.

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.

What troubles you while you are praying? What struggles do you need the Lord's help to overcome to enter into prayer like the Leper does?

Do you confidently approach God with humility and trust? Are you really giving your life and petitions to Christ? Why?

In what ways would you like to grow in your relationship with Christ, in your confidence and trust in him, through prayer?

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 will be done."

"Make me clean."

"I trust in you."

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?

Today, pray the Our Father very intentionally. Pray it more than once and really focus on the words you are saying. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you grow in a greater understanding of this prayer and your relationship with God. As you pray the words that Jesus taught us, let your heart be open to the Father as you approach Him with loving boldness.

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.

Today's prayer was prepared by Jason Liuzzi, a middle school religion teacher at St. John the Evangelist School in St John, IN.

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.

CARPE VERBUM