Lectio Divina Reading
February 24, 2004
Scheduling Time for Prayer |
February 24, 2005 |
There is a time for everything …Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV
Many people have found that contemplative prayer puts a certain order into their lives. As their minds became clearer and less cluttered, they are better able to choose their priorities. By giving time to contemplative prayer they actually have more time, because they stop doing things that before were useless or unnecessary. John of the Cross-has this challenging saying, "if you find that you are working so much that you don’t have enough time for your regular time of prayer, just double it!"
Ecclesiastes 3:1, 7
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:…a time to be silent and a time to speak….
Active Prayer Sentence |
February 26, 2005 |
Here’s…a formula of salvation -- Abba Isaac
Sometimes we may notice a pattern of getting upset in particular circumstances. We can then sleuth back and identify what the particular emotional program for happiness in the unconscious probably is. If you don’t have time to go through that process, it may be simpler just to use another practice we call an Active Prayer Sentence. It is like the Jesus prayer, a prayer that you say over and over again until it says itself. John Cassian affirms that the monks of the desert used to sit in their cells weaving baskets saying constantly, "Oh God, come to my assistance. Oh Lord, make haste to help me." Perhaps the more mature monks would just say "Help."
Psalm 70:1
Please, God, rescue me! Come quickly, LORD and help me.
Another Way to Deepen Your Daily Practice |
February 27, 2005 |
In quietness and…trust shall be…strength. Isaiah 30:15
A retreat once a year would deepen your daily practice, especially if the retreat is long enough, like five or preferably eight full days. If that is not possible because of your situation and responsibilities, take a retreat day once a month, preferably along with others doing the same kind of prayer practice. The support of similarly minded people helps to persevere in prayer in difficult times.
Isaiah 30:15
For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.
Lectio Divina
for CP Groups
Contemplative Outreach of Dallas