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Weekend Word of Power

September 13, 2009 By Jean Wise

The spiritual practice of sacred reading of the scriptures is called Lectio Divina – a holy reading of the Bible slowly, savoring it, and enjoying it with the Lord. The intention is not to learn or gain information but to deepen our relationship with God. St Benedict encourages us to “to listen with the ear of our hearts.”
Join me once a week for Lectio Divina. I will share a verse and a word that spoke to my heart. Read and listen to the verses here. And gently ask God for a word or phrase that speaks to your heart for that day – that is what lectio means. Once we find that gift, we hold it, meditate, and savor its meaning. This step is called meditation.
Then offer that word back to God in prayer or the third step of oratio. In prayer we allow our real selves to be touched and changed by the word of God.
Finally, we simply rest in the presence of the One who has used His word as a means of inviting us to accept His transforming embrace. No one who has ever been in love needs to be reminded that there are moments in loving relationships when words are unnecessary.
Come into the presence of the Lord.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12: 1 NIV

Hinders

What hinders me from drawing closer to you, Lord? What blocks me from completely loving you, serving you, obeying you?

What do I need to let go of that hinders me, so I can run this race you have set before me?

What weighs me down, burdens my walk, and interferes with my hearing you, following you?

Show me Lord the obstacles.

I give them up for you.

Listen
Learn
Let go

You are the God who never deserts us.
You will show me the way.
You are the coach on this race of life who encourages me, cheers me on, and helps me to release bad habits and self defeating behaviors.

You are God.

Thank you for being a teaching, forgiving God

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Filed Under: lectio divina, spiritual practices

Comments

  1. blankKaren says

    September 14, 2009 at 9:03 pm

    The “hinders” the part of the verse doesn’t say it’s sin in that phrase, the sin is in the next one. So I believe here, this might be things that are not necessariy bad, but that slow down our race. Ex. jackets are good, but not to race in. Flip-flops are good, but not to run in. The Lord hit me with, what “good” things hinder my race today. Things which are not meant for this time.

    Thanks Jeanie

  2. blankClella says

    September 14, 2009 at 3:27 pm

    Each time I read your posts I am blessed and reminded I need to stay healthy spiritually. You help me do that in so many ways and this blog is one of them. Thanks
    Clella

  3. blankJohnnie says

    September 13, 2009 at 2:13 pm

    Thank you for this meditation. As I read the verse, my focus was drawn “to the sin that so easily entangles” and I ask similar questions as you did with “hinder.” To open my eyes to those pesky knots that I may not even see. I felt you prayed with me this morning.

Healthy Spirituality – a sacred space to nurture your faith, grow closer to God, and belong to a community, walking together on life’s journey. This blog is written by author, speaker and retreat leader Jean Wise

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