After Jacob and Esau parted ways, Jacob arrived in the city of Shechem and settled there. He built an altar and worshiped God.
There he erected an altar and called it El-Elohe-Israel (Genesis 33:20).
A friend recently recommended a book called Two Chairs, which suggests visualizing God in an empty chair and having a conversation with Him as with a close friend. This approach aims to make God feel more present and accessible, rather than a distant God.
Over the years, I have engaged in this practice. I picture God sitting in a chair across from me.
I also regularly practice Lectio Divina. Thinking about Jacob’s altars made me want to share more about Lectio Divina and how you can use it in your own prayers.
Lectio Divina – What is it?
Lectio Divina, is a Latin phrase that refers to “divine or sacred reading.”
- It seeks to foster a profound spiritual connection with God through the prayerful reading of the Bible.
I believe that every time I open the Bible, God speaks to me through His Spirit-breathed words, provided I’m listening for the Holy Spirit’s direction. Through this, I hear God’s voice, and I then engage in conversation with Him about what I believe He has shown me.
- Lectio Divina emphasizes a personal and experiential encounter with God through the Bible.
I like to study Bible commentaries to understand the scriptures better. However, this method encourages me to engage with God and His word with my inner self, not just my mind.
- Lectio Divina involves reading a relatively short passage in a slow, deliberate, and repetitive manner.
I’m confident that if you try Lectio Divina, the Holy Spirit will show you the best way for you. My approach involves reading the passage thoroughly, usually reading a commentary, and then praying through the passage.
- The goal of any spiritual discipline lies in connecting with God.
However you approach your time with Him at your personal altar of worship, strive for authentic communion. This is where lasting transformation takes place.
Try It Out
Here are suggestions to help you experience this practice:
(1) Find a place free from distractions.
(2) Place a chair next to you and imagine God sitting there. Keep in mind that God is even closer, as His Holy Spirit lives within you.
(3) Ask God to guide you to a Scripture passage relevant to your life.
Personally, I find reading entire books of the Bible most effective, as it allows me to focus on the full scope of God’s message rather than isolated verses.
(4) Follow the principles of Lectio Divina as outlined above.
There is a wealth of information on this practice on the Internet, if you wish to learn more.
(5) Pay close attention to God’s guidance and communication as you read. Remember, in Hebrew, ‘to hear’ and ‘to obey’ are synonymous. Therefore, hearing requires obedience, or the effort is in vain.
(6) It might take a little practice to make Lectio Divina a regular part of your life, just like learning anything new. I suggest setting aside some time to try it and see how God works through it.”
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed Genesis 33:12-20 on YouTube today.
Real Voices 