Carpe Verbum
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New to Carpe Verbum?

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Need Help? New to Carpe Verbum?

New to using Carpe Verbum or praying with Lectio Divina? This page has some helpful tips for getting the most out of it every time you sit down to pray...

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First: Prepare Your Heart

Don't just do your prayer time. Enter into prayer. Come close to the heart of Jesus. Let this be an encounter with the living God. Don't empty your mind, fill it with the Lord. Spend just a minute preparing your heart to encounter Jesus.
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Thank You. Walk through the last 12-24 hours. Thank our Lord for all the blessings you can remember during that time. Try thanking Him for the big and small blessings, the happy and sad blessings.

I'm Sorry. Reflect on the ways you've gone against His will lately. The sins you've committed, the people you've hurt: yourself, others, Jesus. Stir up true sorrow in your heart for your sins.

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Step #1: Lectio / Read

The first step is "lectio," which means "read." Simply familiarize yourself with today's passage. Enter the story. Soak it up.

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Step #2 - Meditatio / Meditate

The second step is "meditatio," which means "meditate." Read the passage again. Reflect on what it means and ask the Holy Spirit to give you insight.

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Step #3 - Oratio / Pray

The third step is "oratio," which means "pray." In other words, now that you've meditated on the passage, talk to God about it. Have a conversation with Him. How does this passage apply to your life and your relationship with Him right now?

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Step #4 - Contemplatio / Contemplate

The fourth and final step is "contemplatio," which means "contemplate." This part is kinda weird. You just spent time talking to God. Now it's time to listen. Don't clear your mind, fill it with Jesus. If you get distracted, try prayerfully repeating a short word or phrase during this time. You can use one of the suggestions in today's Carpe Verbum, if you'd like.

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For the rest of your day...

Word or Phrase. We'll give you a short word or phrase to keep in your mind and heart for the rest of the day. Don't let your prayer end with your "Amen." Keep it going all day long.

Lock Screen Image. We'll also provide you with an image with a quote from today's Carpe Verbum. It has been sized to fit most phone's lock screens. Feel free to use it on your phone as a constant reminder of your prayer time. The time today when you encountered Jesus face to face.

​About Lectio Divina
Lectio Divina is Latin for "Divine Reading." It's a traditional Benedictine practice of scriptural reading, meditation and prayer. It's intended to bring you into a closer relationship with Jesus through encountering Him in the living Word of God. It's not so much about studying the Bible as it is about meeting Jesus there.
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"Indeed, the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart."
~ Hebrews 4:12
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