How can we pray with Scripture, trusting that God will meet us through his word? One time-tested practice, about which I write in 7 Ways to Pray, is lectio divina. That’s a bit of jargon but it’s simply Latin for sacred reading (or prayerful reading). It’s a four-step process that helps us to slow down and engage with the text prayerfully. The four steps are:
reading
reflecting
responding
resting
Join me in engaging with a favorite passage out of John 15 in this way of praying. Last week I spoke at Bethel University, my alma mater, and during the talk gave plenty of time for people to try out the four steps. Now you can too – take a mini-retreat, brew a cuppa, and know that God longs to meet with you!
[Image: By Leo Boucher. Used with permission; all rights reserved. Pen and watercolor with Jesus at the center, surrounded by leaves and vines.]
Today we move away from Watercolor Wednesday to welcome a new series, Praying with a Painting. I’m still going to be featuring my dad’s wonderful artwork, but want to use it as a jumping point for prayer.
One form of praying with the help of an image is visio divina, which is Latin for sacred seeing, and many weeks we’ll use this slow, thoughtful form of engaging prayerfully. Other weeks we’ll find different ways to interact with the paintings. I hope that these posts will provide you a mini-retreat during your busy day.
Today we’re thinking about Jesus the Vine, which is what he calls himself in John 15, in what’s known as the Last Discourse. He and his friends have eaten their last supper together, and as they walk from the upper room to the Garden of Gethsemane, he shares with them of life in the kingdom. Yes, he’ll be going away, but he will be sending the Advocate, the Spirit to be with them. As part of this discussion he also calls himself the Vine and his friends the branches, and that as they abide in him they will bear fruit.
Join me in praying with this painting?
Still yourself before God, asking him to surround you with his presence.
You may wish to start with reading John 15:1–17, to have the passage in your mind.
As you look at the painting, notice what strikes you in it. Spend a few moments gazing at that part of the image and welcome God to speak to you. Notice what thoughts appear in your mind – if you find yourself distracted, just note the matter if you need to and then gently return yourself to the task.
Respond to God, offering any praises, questions, intercessions, petitions, statements of thanks. You might want to affirm that Jesus is the Vine and that you are connected to him. That his Spirit flows through you, and that with him you can produce luscious fruit that lasts.
Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. He prunes us that we’ll be more fruitful. Painful pruning, but for growth and flourishing. How is he pruning you? How are you growing?
