LECTIO DIVINA: CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER 15.4.14

How to Practice Lectio Divina 
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First Movement – Lectio: Settling & Shimmering
Begin by finding a comfortable position where you can remain alert and yet also relax your body. Bring your attention to your breath and allow a few moments to become centered. If you find yourself distracted at any time, gently return to the rhythm of your breath as an anchor for your awareness. Allow yourself to  settle into this moment and become fully present.  Read your selected scripture passage or other sacred text once or twice through slowly and listen for a word or phrase that feels significant right now, is capturing your attention even if you don’t know why.  Gently repeat this word to yourself in the silence.  * Second Movement – Meditatio: Savoring & Stirring 
Read the text again and then allow the word or phrase which caught your attention in the first movement  to spark your imagination. Savor the word or phrase with all of your senses, notice what smells, sounds,  tastes, sights, and feelings are evoked. Then listen for what images, feelings, and memories are stirring, welcoming them in,
and then savoring and resting into this experience.  *
Third Movement – Oratio: Summoning & Serving
Read the text a third time and then listen for an invitation rising up from your experience of prayer so far.  Considering the word or phrase and what it has evoked for you in memory, image, or feeling, what is the invitation?  This invitation may be a summons toward a new awareness or action. 
* Fourth Movement – Contemplatio: Slowing & Stilling 
Move into a time for simply resting in God and allowing your heart to fill with gratitude for God’s presence in this time of prayer. Slow your thoughts and reflections even further and sink into the experience of stillness. Rest in the presence of God and allow yourself to simply be. Rest here for several  minutes. Return to your breath if you find yourself distracted.  * Closing 
Gently connect with your breath again and slowly bring your awareness back to the room, moving from inner experience to outer experience. Give yourself some time of transition between these moments of contemplative depth and your everyday life.  Consider taking a few minutes to
journal about what you experienced in your prayer. 

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© Christine Valters Paintner – excerpted from Lectio Divina—
The Sacred Art: Transforming Words and Images into Heart-Centered Prayer
(SkyLight Paths Publishing)
– feel free to share this with attribution  www.AbbeyoftheArts.com

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21 Days of Wonder: Stillness #LIVEWONDERSTRUCK

Wonders await in the stillness.  

Depending on the weather where you are, prepare a cup of hot peppermint tea or pour a glass of sweet tea. 

Fill a mug with dark hot chocolate and marshmallows or open a can of Cheerwine—whatever your favourite beverage may be.

Then find a quiet room, a comfortable chair, and sit still for twenty minutes. 

Your only movement should be nestling into the chair and occasionally sipping your beverage.

Allow yourself to be fully present in the moment—aware of your hands, your feet, your spine, every aspect of your body’s position.

In this place of pausing, talk to God. Tell him what’s really on your heart and mind. 

Share with him things you’ve been afraid to say aloud.

Give yourself wholly and fully to God in prayer and experience the wonder.

Wonder Challenge:  Tweet, post, pin, fb 

proclaiming something about God for which you’re truly grateful.

*I am entirely grateful for the reality of God's Presence in my life.*
Loving embraces as I #LIVEWONDERSTRUCK !

Example: I’m thankful for God’s unconditional love. Because of God’s love I can’t help but #LIVEWONDERSTRUCK.

Bonus: If you’re looking for more stillness in your life, 

one way is to pre-prepare meals, as I share in Wonderstruck.

Here is the recipe for 

Leif’s Almost-World-Famous Green Chile Chicken.

In the stillness, enjoy this scent wafting in your kitchen.

• 4 trimmed chicken breasts (no excess fat)
• 1 diced medium onion
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• 4 tbsp taco seasoning
• 1 bay leaf
• 4 cups of chicken broth
• 1 27 ounce can of whole green chilies
• 
  

Place the first six ingredients in the slow cooker and cook on high for four hours or more. With a slotted spoon remove chicken and onion mixture and place in a container. Discard the bay leaf and all cooking liquid. Place entire can of green chiles including liquid into a blender and puree. Pour green chile puree into slow cooker. Add chicken and onions back in. Heat for 20 minutes or until warm. Shred chicken using two forks while in the slow cooker. Serve with heated corn tortillas, lettuce, tomato, avocado, cilantro, and lime.

Tomorrow: DREAM

Wonder is meant to be shared, so Margaret has discounted Wonderstruck: Awaken to the Nearness of God so you can order your very own copy and some to pass along to friends, too. Share the Wonder! http://mar.cta.gs/04w

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It’s not too late to join the fun! Join us during the 21 Days of Wonder Challenge and awaken to the wonders of God all around. Learn more, here.

Receive notifications for the 21 Days of Wonder in your inbox each day. 

Click here to sign up and receive a bonus eBook: Wonderstruck by Jesus Christ.