Reflection, Feb. 4, 2007

Chi Rho Reflection for the Week of February 4, 2007

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As one of the on-going ministries of Chi Rho Press, here is a selection from our book of daily
devotions, "Living as the Beloved: One Day at a Time," by the Rev. Dr. Sandra Bochonok.

Please read the Scripture passage and Dr. Bochonok's meditation. We hope you will be blessed.

Thank you for forwarding this to your friends.

The Lord's Prayer and lectio divina

Jesus taught, "Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us to the time
of trial, but rescue us from the evil one."
Matthew 6:9-13

"Do not pray by heart, but with the heart."
-- Anonymous

Jonathan Edwards, the Puritan theologian said, "Many pray with their lips for that for which
their hearts have no desire." The Lord's Prayer is often prayed this way by many. When our hearts are not in our prayers, they lack spiritual power. One ancient way to experience spiritual empowerment is to reclaim sacred words that have become common. Many of us have memorized this prayer and can probably recite it by heart in sixty seconds. We can recite it without appreciating its full meaning.

Every element of worship is found here. We are also given six simple prayer requests to
change the world the way God wishes it to be. We experience worship, intercession, thanksgiving, and penitence. The Lord's Prayer is a spiritual heritage worthy of reclaiming for the new century. It will last throughout eternity.

During the Middle Ages, monks used to practice a spiritual discipline called lectio divina (Hall,
Thelma. "Too Deep for Words: Rediscovering Lectio Divina with 500 Scripture Texts for Prayer," p. 7.). It is one form of holy reading. They would read a passage of scripture slowly to savor the nourishing words. Then they would reread it with pauses of silence between readings. Sometimes a word or phrase would glimmer and catch a reader's attention. The reader would nurture that word throughout the day in the reader's heart and let it linger in
the soul.

Thoughtfully linger over these beautiful words from the Lord's Prayer. Reclaim your spiritual
heritage with every sentence or perhaps just one sentence at a time.

God, teach us to pray from our hearts. Amen.

Grace and peace,

Chi Rho Press

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