Lectio Divina is a method with which Christians have been prayerfully engaging the Scriptures for at least 1000 years. The practice uses Scripture to foster a dialogue and encounter with the indwelling Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Choose a short Scripture passage. It could be a passage from this Sunday's Mass readings, your favorite Book of the Bible, picked at random, or whatever inspires you.
Pray to the Holy Spirit, asking Him to guide your prayer.
The Daily Examen is a quick prayer to help you see where God was active in your day. Usually done for 15 to 20 minutes at the end of a day, the prayer was popularized by St. Ignatius Loyola, the founder of the Jesuit Orders, in his classic text the Spiritual Exercises.
Use the five easy steps to pray the Examen every day, and soon you'll begin to see God's presence more easily.
Remember that you're in the presence of God in a special way when you pray. Ask God for help in your prayer.
Recall two or three things that happened today for which you are especially grateful. Savor them. Then thank God for these gifts.
Review your day from start to finish, noticing where you experienced God's presence. Notice everything from large to small: from an enjoyable interaction with a friend to the feel of the sun on your face. When did you love? When were you loved?
You may have sinned today or done something you regret. Express your sorrow to God and ask for forgiveness. If it's a grave sin, pray about seeking forgiveness from the person offended, or the sacrament of Reconciliation.
You may want to return to a meaningful part of your prayer and speak to God about how you felt. At the close of the prayer, ask for God's grace for the following day.
The source of Centering Prayer is the indwelling Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The focus is deepening our personal relationship with the living Christ, and is a movement beyond conversation with Christ to communion with Him. Rather than being limited to the "felt" presence of God, it is a deepening of faith in God's abiding presence in us. For a more complete explanation of Centering Prayer, read Open Mind Open Heart by Fr. Thomas Keating.
1. Choose a sacred word as the symbol of your intention to consent to God's presence and action within.
2. Sitting comfortably and with eyes closed, settle briefly and silently introduce the sacred word as the symbol of your consent to God's presence and action within.
3. When engaged with your thoughts, return ever-so-gently to the sacred word.
4. At the end of the prayer period (20-30 minutes), remain in silence with eyes closed for a couple of minutes.