Whole Heart, Whole Soul

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 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12

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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).

Today marks the end of this nearly month-long meditation and invitation to pray through the first two books of Samuel which goes through the reign of King David. Today, we see the days of David are coming to an end and he wants to pass on some last words of advice to his son Solomon, who will take his place as the ruler over Israel.

There is so much good advice that David gives to his son, but at the core of his message is this:

“Take courage and be a man. Keep the mandate of the LORD, your God, following his ways and observing his statues, commands, ordinances, and decrees as they are written in the Law of Moses.”

This is a common phrase repeated throughout all of scripture – follow the way of the Lord and observe his commands and statues. Now, at first, this kind of sounds like following God is all about following a bunch of rules, but that’s not quite what this expression means. To understand what is at the heart of the Law of Moses, read Deuteronomy 6:4-9.

Did you read it? Good.

To walk in the way of the Lord is to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might! Notice that the next verse in Deuteronomy says that you should teach this to your children, and that is exactly what David is doing today. Solomon, Solomon – love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and might!

What great news this is for us! Why? Because this is not a call to perfection, but a call to trust. There were times when David was a terrible sinner: he committed adultery with Bathsheba, he was deceitful and lied, he murdered an innocent and loyal soldier to cover up his mistake, he refused to reprimand his sons when they were out of line. There are many things he did not do right; but he kept on holding on to God. 

I think there are different areas in the life of David with which we can all relate.

​If you have ever felt like following God is all about following rules, ask him for courage to change your heart. 

If you have ever felt like God doesn’t listen to you because you are too great a sinner, ask him for the courage to change your heart. 

If you have ever felt like you need to earn God’s love, ask him for the courage to change your heart.

At the heart of following God means giving Him every inch of ourselves – your whole heart and your whole soul – it doesn’t mean you have to be perfect.

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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.

In your own heart and prayer, what does it mean today to love the Lord with all your heart, mind, and soul? How does God want to call you to deeper love today?

Which of those characteristics of David do you relate to? How do you need to be bold and ask God to change your heart today?

Is there a part of your heart or your life you haven't given over to God? Why not? How can you truly let Him into that part of yourself? 

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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.

"I give you my heart."

"I give you my mind."

"I give you my soul."

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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?

Either today or in the next day or two, fast from something - social media, meat, drinks other than water - and pray that in fasting the Lord would help you to focus your heart and mind only on Him and not on the things of the world. 

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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 Mike Monette, a theology teacher at JSerra Catholic High School in Orange County, CA. 

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.