Lessons in Lectio Divina: Part Five
Uncensored prayer to God
The Psalms: Working with the range of emotions
Video:
Practices: Continue your practice of silence, try to make sure that you are as regular as possible; continue with journaling and daily examen; spend the week with Psalms 103 and 142. Keep reading them, coming back to them, listening to them.
Reading: Was Jesus in the Psalms?; Growth Through Psalms (note: the author uses the Hebrew version of the Psalms, your English translation won’t look the same.) both articles are attached.
Assignment: Write your own Psalm of lament. There are instructions attached along with some examples. The key is not to worry about doing it “right.” Now that you have spent time immersed in the Psalms just see what happens when you try to write one. Try picking an event or feeling in your life that evokes a lot of emotion. Before you start read a number of Psalms to enter into the language and world of the Psalms. You can do this!
Reflection Questions: 1) What was your practice like this week? What helped you stay with it? What tripped you up? What are you going to commit to doing to make yourself do it? 2) What insights did you find from your practice? 3) Share your Psalm along with your other reflections (There are no bad Psalms!)
Tip of the week: As you spend time with the Psalms look for a phrase that you can use as a mantra to change negative patterns of thinking.
