Lectio Divina: Peace

Season 1 Episode 33

Ponder the words and invitation from 2 Thessalonians 3:16 and receive God's gift of peace for yourself and others. For yoga postures, aromatherapy, and a breath prayer connected to Peace, see pages 112-113 of Holy Listening with Breath, Body, and the Spirit.

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:01

Hi, I'm Whitney R. Simpson, and you're listening to Exploring Peace Meditations. Take a few moments to settle in and place your phone on Do Not Disturb. No matter where you may find yourself, take a moment to purposefully pause with a dose of peace and calm for your breath, body, and spirit as we seek to explore the peace God offers us each and every day. Today's prayer practice is sacred reading, or Lectio Divina. If you've listened before, you've likely explored this practice. Listen to our passage, and I invite you today to use your imagination. Our scripture comes from the New Revised Standard Version, 2 Thessalonians chapter 3, verse 16. Just hear it the first time. May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times, in all ways. The Lord be with all of you. Now I invite you to ponder in your imagination a group of people that you would like to send peace to today. These people might be your family members, or co-workers that you miss seeing, or church members you haven't been around in a while, or some other community that you are a part of, a group of people that you care about and you would like to offer peace to today. Can you see those people in your imagination? And now listen to the passage again. Listen this time. Notice if a word, a phrase, or even an image comes to your mind as you imagine their faces. May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times, in all ways. The Lord be with all of you. In the silence, savor your image or words and breathe. Respond to God and what you're hearing or seeing, what stands out to you in this passage. Hear the verse, and then speak to the Lord. May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times, in all ways. The Lord be with all of you. What is God longing you to notice? And how might you respond to that in the quiet? Hear the passage one last time. Rest in what God's offering you. Rest in the image of peace or the image of community. Rest in the image of blessing. Rest in the Lord of peace himself. May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times, in all ways. The Lord be with all of you. Continue to allow us to receive it and share it with one another. Let us give thanks for community today, and may we be reminded that you are our gift of peace. In your name we pray. Amen. Thank you each for allowing me to be a companion on your journey. If you're longing for more of this gift of peace, you can join our growing peace seekers community online at exploringpeace.com. A new series of group spiritual direction will begin in late October, and an Advent retreat is coming soon. So I can't wait for you to join us there and learn more. Are you a peaceeker? You can be part of our growing community and support this podcast for less than a fancy cup of coffee. That's good for your soul, truly. You can also connect with me at Whitney Rsimpson.com. Until next time, may peace be with you.