Area Four: Contemplation or “Contemplatio”

Our Last section is contemplation, a segment of time reserved for resting in God. The goal is to be still while letting your time of prayer continue in appreciation of God Himself. The intent is to enjoy God purely for who He is. In many styles of Lectio Divina, this completes the experience. But I remind you that this is not a rule or law, but a suggested experience – including the order.

Before you engage in the contemplative section, review your Lectio Divina work this week to prepare for today’s devotional practice:

Practice a period of silence, resting in quiet peace
Review the reading from Matthew 6:19-21

Matthew 6:19-21

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Call to mind your key word or phrase
Review the images, shapes, concepts, colors, textures, memories and associations from Wednesday
Review your dialogue with God over personal hopes, desires, needs, pains – and others you had come to mind

Now simply enjoy God for who He is and for what He has done in relation to all that arose in the week regarding your key word or phrase. Rest in Him, giving Him any anxiety, struggle or pain, thanking Him for all joys and accomplishments. Include all relationships so that none of them fall outside your life with God.

Again. It bears repeating. Ordinarily you would perform all four areas in one sitting, which you have opportunity to do tomorrow with the story of the week.

Journal Prompt:
Notes from my ‘Lectio Divina’ of Matthew 6:19-21:

Micro-Meditation

Psalm 32:5

Then I acknowledged my sin to you
and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.”
And you forgave the guilt of my sin.

Teaching or Command of God:

1 John 2:8

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us…

1 John 2:9

…if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Pondering Point

Notice that God forgives the sin and the guilt of the sin? Some of us could benefit from that truth – and let go of our guilt over sinful choices. What about you?