The Best Made Plans

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. 

1 Samuel 1:9-20

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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).

​You ever just made a plan, and it go horribly wrong? I’m not talking about a day of or week of type plan, but something that’s been in the works for months.... only to just slowly crumble?

Yea, it’s a humbling feeling! A couple years ago I participated in a charity dancing event. My dance partner and I trained for months on a hybrid of the cha-cha and Thriller routine. We also had a high school cheerleading team dress as zombies to accompany my partner and I during the Thriller part. Well, during the performance, we missed a few steps, which threw the timing off and had to adjust on the fly. It was embarrassing!! But we finished the routine. Turns out it wasn’t as bad as I thought because we finished in the top 2. 

That night I remembered the saying: when we make plans, God laughs! We can pray and pray and pray for it to go right, but it’s not our will be done. It’s always according to His will. And that’s okay. God provides. We just have to enjoy the moment... even when it’s not perfect. Pray, be humble, and trust in the Lord.

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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.

What are some plans you have tried to make. especailly without God, that have fallen apart?

Have you ever had the experience of looking back and realizing how much of a blessing an event or a moment was, even if it seemed terrible at the moment (for example a break up or losing a game etc.)? How did it feel to realize God had a bigger plan?

Do you trust God's plan for your life? Why or why not?

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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.

"Jesus I trust in You."

"Here I am, Lord."

"I give it all to You, God."

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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?

Instead of planning so much, pray more! It is good to be prepared, but it is better to pray and trust God.

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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 Brandon Hudson, a news reporter in Philadelphia, PA. 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.