Advent 2023—Lectio Divina part 6

This Advent I am going to look at the practice of Lectio Divina, mostly because it is my favourite form of prayer and meditation. Lectio Divina means “Divine Reading” in Latin. It is a systematic way of reading the Bible dating back to the early centuries of the Christian church.

Lectio Divina has four parts:

1. Reading: Read the passage slowly and carefully.
2. Meditation: Think deeply about the text.
3. Prayer: Have a loving conversation with God.
4. Contemplation: Rest in God’s presence.

We’ve gone through the Bible passage twice, really thought about what God is telling us, and now we’ve figured out what He’s saying. But before we continue, let’s read the passage once more. And now, for the very first time, it’s our turn to speak. You can be all proper if that’s how you pray, but personally, I see it as simply having a good old chat with God. I mean if Jesus needed to chat with his Father, our Father, then so do we.

The third stage of Lectio Divina, Oratio in Latin, is like having a heart-to-heart with God. It’s time to respond and have a loving chat with Him. As I mentioned before, if you don’t feel like God has spoken to you, you can skip this step and move right on to the last part of contemplation.

Still here? Good. More nice slow reading, and then it’s time to have a chat. I cannot say what the chat will be like as thet depends on what God has said, but as what is to come in my example is on the positive side I am going to take it a bit darker: What if what God says is rebuke? Let’s face it we’re all human, somtimes we get it right, sometimes we get it wrong and sometimes there are unseen consequenses for our actions. So first things first, God loves you. God’s rebukes come gently, motivated by love. If you feel you are being rebuked by God it’s OK God would love to have a loving chat with you.

My example continues from the Reading and Meditation parts. Heres the words that spoke to me and what I got from pondering.

A God … who acts for those who wait for him.

I know God’s got my back and has been doing his thing, even when I wasn’t asking for help.

Now it’s time to read again…

64 Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down,
    that the mountains might quake at your presence—
² as when fire kindles brushwood
    and the fire causes water to boil—
to make your name known to your adversaries,
    and that the nations might tremble at your presence!
³ When you did awesome things that we did not look for,
    you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence.
⁴ From of old no one has heard
    or perceived by the ear,
no eye has seen a God besides you,
    who acts for those who wait for him.
⁵ You meet him who joyfully works righteousness,
    those who remember you in your ways.
Behold, you were angry, and we sinned;
    in our sins we have been a long time, and shall we be saved?

Isaiah 64:1-5 ESVUK

Before I spoke I laughed, a little joyful laugh. I say, “Wow!”

“Thank you Mighty God that you have my back. You have prepared me for my operation by showing your love. Thank you.”

I pause and wait for an answer, but nothing comes, I feel God’s left arm around my shoulders. Another god hug, wow!