Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Tools for Spiritual Formation

In Answering God: The Psalms as Tools for Prayer Eugene Peterson writes that humans are tool-making and using creatures. “We use the scripture to hear what God says to us, and the sacraments to receive his life among us. … Prayers are tools that God uses to work his will in our bodies and souls. Prayers are tool that we use to collaborate in his work with us.” (1989, Harper-Collins, pp. 1-2)

Over the years I have found the tools of
Lectio Divina, the Benedictine “Hours,” and Richard Foster’s Renovaré Disciplines especially helpful. So I have posted them here with references

Learning to Pray from the Bible
Jesus gave “The Lord’s Prayer” to teach us how to pray (Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4). Dietrich Bonhoeffer spoke of the Psalms as “Jesus’ Prayerbook.” The Apostle Paul’s prayers for the churches will challenge and stretch our prayer lives. The references are listed below.

· Romans 1:8-10
· Romans 15:5-6, 13
· 1 Corinthians 1:3-9
· 2 Corinthians 13:7-10
· Ephesians 1:15-23
· Ephesians 3:14-21
· Philippians 1`:2-5, 9-11
· Colossians 1:2-12
· Colossians 4:2-4
· 1 Thessalonians 1:2-5
· 1 Thessalonians 3:10-13
· 2 Thessalonians 1:2-4, 11-12
· 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2, 5
· 2 Timothy 1:3-4, 16-18
· Philemon 1:4-7
Praying the Benedictine “Hours”

Vigil (or Matins)
Observed by those who are awake at night. Use the darkness simply to be with God, aware of the Holy Presence in your quiet hours.

Lauds
Wake to thank and praise (laudate) God. This is the hour to spend some time in prayer and contemplation.

Prime
At breakfast take just a moment to look over your day’s calendar, asking God to be in all you attempt to do.

Terce
Midmorning is break time. Deeply breathe in God’s Spirit before returning to your morning’s tasks.

Sext
It is now noon and time to consider the whole world and its needs as you give thanks for your lunch.

None (rhymes with “stone,” sounds just like “known”)
In the afternoon we close down our work and turn toward home or get ready for supper. It is a time for forgiving, asking forgiveness of God, and letting go of the day’s events.

Vespers/Compline
Close the day with peacefulness, prayer, and perhaps a bit of bedtime reading. Entrust your life to God until you greed the morning again with thanksgiving.

Taken from Saint Benedict on the Freeway: A Rule of Life for the 21st Century by Corinne Ware, 2001, Abingdon, pp. 62-73)

A Short Guide to Lectio Divina

Select a scripture passage, perhaps the Gospel reading from the previous Sunday’s worship.

Lectio (Read): Read the passage carefully, getting the sequence and detail without thinking too much about the meaning. Imagine the time of day, season of the year, smells of the land, sounds of the countryside, the human touches – all the elements that would make this scene real to you. Transport yourself into the setting using your imagination.

Meditatio (Meditate): Read the scripture again. Why is there a record of this particular event or saying? What is the significance of this passage in the larger scheme of things? What does this piece mean? How does that affect an understanding of God? Of conduct? Do you see yourself in any of the characters in the passage?

Oratio (Pray): Allow your feelings to surface as you read the passage again. Do you feel happy, sad, angry or guilty? Silently or verbally talk this through with God; tell God what you feel about what you have read. Comment in you prayer on anything in the passage to which you respond.

Contemplatio (Contemplate): Sit quietly, breathe deeply and regularly, and let your mind go blank. As you quiet your inner self, simply listen in your heart. If you receive some impression or thought, quietly notice it; then focus your attention on remaining open. If you have no thoughts or impressions, return your mind to the scripture passage. After a while, open your eyes, rested and refreshed, expressing gratitude for your experience.

From Discover Your Spiritual Type: A Guide to Individual and Congregational Growth by Corinne Ware, © 1995 The Alban Institute, Inc.

Renovaré Disciplines

I have used these disciplines in a small group setting, including church ministry teams of just a couple of people. We read aloud the covenant and one of the common disciplines together each time. Whoever is leading shares a scripture passage, an appropriate reading and their own brief insight to introduce asking the corresponding question of examen. That begins the conversation that concludes with prayer. One theme or tradition is used at each session, taking them in order.

Covenant

In utter dependence upon Jesus Christ as my everliving Savior, Teacher, Lord and Friend, I will seek continual renewal through:
· Spiritual exercises
· Spiritual gifts and
· Acts of service.

Common Disciplines

Contemplative: The Prayer-Filled Life
By God’s grace, I will set aside time regularly for prayer, meditation, and spiritual reading and will seek to practice the presence of God.

Holiness: The Virtuous Life
By God’s grace, I will strive mightily against sin and will do deeds of love and mercy.

Charismatic: the Spirit-Empowered Life
By God’s grace, I will welcome the Holy Spirit, exercising the gifts and nurturing the fruit while living in the joy and power of the Spirit.

Social Justice: The Compassionate Life
By God’s grace, I will endeavor to serve others everywhere I can and will work for justice in all human relationships and social structures.

Evangelical: The Word-Centered Life
By God’s grace, I will share my faith with others as God leads and will study the Scriptures regularly.

Incarnational: The Sacramental Life
By God’s grace, I will joyfully seek to show forth the presence of God in all that I say, in all that I do, in all that I am.

Questions of Examen

Contemplative: The Prayer-Filled Life
In what ways has God made his presence know to you since our last meeting? What experiences of prayer, meditation, and spiritual reading has God given you? What difficulties or frustrations have you encountered? What joys and delights?

Holiness: The Virtuous Life
What temptations have you faced since our last meeting? How did you respond? Which spiritual disciplines has God used to lead you further into holiness of heart and life?

Charismatic: the Spirit-Empowered Life
Have you sensed any influence or work of the Holy Spirit since our last meeting? What spiritual gifts has the Spirit enabled you to exercise? What was the outcome? What fruit of the Spirit would you like to see increase in your life? What disciplines might be useful in this effort?

Social Justice: The Compassionate Life
What opportunities has God given you to serve others since our last meeting? How did you respond? Have you encountered any injustice to or oppression of others? Have you been able to work for justice and shalom?

Evangelical: The Word-Centered Life
Has God provided an opportunity for you to share your faith with someone since our last meeting? How did you respond? In what ways have you encountered Christ in your reading of the Scripture? How has the Bible shaped the way you think and live?

Incarnational: The Sacramental Life
In what ways have you been able to manifest the presence of God through your daily work since our last meeting. How has God fed and strengthened you through the ministry of Christ’s ordinances? How have you been aware of the presence of God in the pain or suffering of another person? (This last question is my own addition drawing on the experience of living in the L’Arche Daybreak Community in Richmond Hill, Ontario.)

http://www.renovare.org/