Opening to God

Opening to God PDF

Author: David G. Benner

Publisher: InterVarsity Press

Published: 2010-09-03

Total Pages: 182

ISBN-13: 0830867996

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Most Christians want to experience spiritual transformation. But many are frustrated by the limited progress of our spiritual self-improvement efforts. We find our praying burdened by a sense of obligation and failure. But prayer is not merely something we do; prayer is what God does in us. Prayer is not just communication with God; it is communion with God. As we open ourselves to him, God does the spiritual work of transformation in us. Spiritual director David Benner invites us to discover openness to God as the essence of prayer, spirituality and the Christian life. Prayer is far more than saying words to God; all of life can be prayer when offered to God in faith and with openness. Using the four movements of lectio divina, Benner explores prayer as attending, pondering, responding and being. Along the way he opens us to a world of possibilities for communion with God: praying with our senses, with imagination, with music and creativity, in contemplation, in service and much more. Learn how prayer can be a way of living your life. Move beyond words to become not merely someone who prays, but someone whose entire life is prayer in union with God.

Opening to God

Opening to God PDF

Author: David G. Benner

Publisher: InterVarsity Press

Published: 2021-04-13

Total Pages: 209

ISBN-13: 0830846875

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Most Christians want to experience spiritual transformation. But many are frustrated by the limited progress of our spiritual self-improvement efforts. We find our praying burdened by a sense of obligation and failure. But prayer is not merely something we do; prayer is what God does in us. Prayer is not just communication with God—it is communion with God. As we open ourselves to him, God does the spiritual work of transformation in us. Spiritual director and psychologist David Benner invites us to discover openness to God as the essence of prayer, spirituality, and the Christian life. Prayer is far more than saying words to God; all of life can be prayer when offered to God in faith and with openness. Using the four movements of lectio divina, Benner explores prayer as attending, pondering, responding, and being. Along the way he opens us to a world of possibilities for communion with God: praying with our senses, with imagination, with music and creativity, in contemplation, in service, and much more. Learn how prayer can be a way of living. Move beyond words to become not merely someone who prays, but someone whose entire life is prayer in union with God. This expanded edition includes a new afterword and an experiential guide with questions for individual reflection or group discussion.

Opening to God

Opening to God PDF

Author: David G. Benner

Publisher:

Published: 2012-02-27

Total Pages: 304

ISBN-13: 9780369316080

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Most Christians want to experience spiritual transformation. But many are frustrated by the limited progress of our spiritual self - improvement efforts. We find our praying burdened by a sense of obligation and failure. But prayer is not merely something we do; prayer is what God does in us. Prayer is not just communication with God; it is communion with God. As we open ourselves to him, God does the spiritual work of transformation in us. Spiritual director David Benner invites us to discover openness to God as the essence of prayer, spirituality and the Christian life. Prayer is far more than saying words to God; all of life can be prayer when offered to God in faith and with openness. Using the four movements of Lectio Divina, Benner explores prayer as attending, pondering, responding and being. Along the way he opens us to a world of possibilities for communion with God: praying with our senses, with imagination, with music and creativity, in contemplation, in service and much more. Learn how prayer can be a way of living your life. Move beyond words to become not merely someone who prays, but someone whose entire life is prayer in union with God.

Lectio Divina

Lectio Divina PDF

Author: Mario Masini

Publisher: Saint Pauls/Alba House

Published: 1998

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9780818908132

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The text offered here presents in an easy-to-read and systematic way the "meaning" and the "steps" involved in the practice of lectio divina.

The Bible as Prayer

The Bible as Prayer PDF

Author: Stephen Hough

Publisher: Paulist Press

Published: 2007-09

Total Pages: 188

ISBN-13: 9780809145072

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THE BIBLE AS PRAYER is an anthology of short phrases and passages from the Bible designed specifically as an aid to prayer. It is a resource to keep at hand in pocket or briefcase, enabling the reader to engage quickly with the business of praying.As early as the third century, monks would take short phrases from the Scriptures and meditate on them in their hearts or on their lips. Out of this developed the Jesus Prayer in the East and lectio divina in the west. This book aims to return to the source, drawing both traditions together and helping busy people in the 21st century to rediscover a simple form of meditation.Every page of this unique book has some words to help the reader open heart and mind to the One who prays in us.

Praying Scripture for a Change

Praying Scripture for a Change PDF

Author: Dr. Timothy Gray

Publisher: Ascension Press

Published: 2014-06-26

Total Pages: 114

ISBN-13:

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If you’re looking to learn how to get the most out of prayer, this book is indispensable. As St. Augustine notes, When we pray, we speak to God; when we read Scripture, God speaks to us. The key to enriching our prayer is learning the language of Christianity, and the most effective way to learn the language of Christianity is an ancient technique known as lectio divina (“divine reading”). In these pages, you will learn: ● How God speaks directly to each of us in Scripture. ● How to overcome the obstacles to a consistent and fruitful prayer life. ● Why the fourfold method of lectio divina leads us directly into the heart of contemplative prayer. ● Strategies for reading - and praying - the Bible fruitfully. ● What Christian meditation is and how it differs from non-Christian approaches. ● How everyone - not just saints and mystics - can truly reach mystical union with God. In this succinct book, Catholic theologian and biblical scholar Dr. Tim Gray walks you through the Bible and the wisdom of the saints to reveal the practical steps of this great treasure of our Tradition. Learning the simple steps of lectio divina will provide a practical and effective way for you to enhance your prayer life through the power of God’s Word.

Discovering Lectio Divina

Discovering Lectio Divina PDF

Author: James C. Wilhoit

Publisher: InterVarsity Press

Published: 2012-06-15

Total Pages: 158

ISBN-13: 0830866914

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Saints of the past can't seem to say enough about their ecstatic experiences with the words of Scripture. The writer of Psalm 19, for example, can hardly contain himself as he exclaims that God's words and ways have revived his soul, made him wise, brought joy to his heart, given him clarity and correct perspective on his life, and warned him of danger. Why should our experiences of the Bible today fall short of this standard? What are we missing? Spiritual formation experts James Wilhoit and Evan Howard argue that our ancestors in the faith responded to the special nature of Scripture with special habits of reading. In this step-by-step introduction to the practice of lectio divina, you will learn what it means to read your way into a new and life-changing intimacy with God. Their simple, easy-to-follow explanation of this ancient practice provides a perfect foundation for you to begin meeting God in his Word as you: read, meditate, pray and contemplate. Discover a new experience of God's Word--one that leads you to experience more of God himself.

Lectio Divina

Lectio Divina PDF

Author: Christine Valters Paintner

Publisher: Paulist Press

Published: 2008

Total Pages: 212

ISBN-13: 9780809145317

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Lectio Divina: Contemplative Awakening and Awareness offers a unique prayer resource that provides a thorough grounding in the different moments of the lectio experience: listening, reading, savoring, responding, and then contemplating God's Word. It will act as a guide for those who have a desire to pray more deeply into this ancient practice and invites readers into a spirituality that encompasses a way of being with God and the whole of life. Lectio Divina, grounded in Benedictine tradition, provides an accessible approach to praying with scripture as well as several concrete and creative ways of praying lectio with different "texts" such as poetry, icons, and movies. The book also explores ways of bringing lectio into scripture study and integrating lectio into busy lives. It concludes by offering the reader an exploration of the transformational value of lectio divina and a way of using lectio to pray with life experience. +

Praying the Bible

Praying the Bible PDF

Author: Mariano Magrassi

Publisher:

Published: 1998

Total Pages: 152

ISBN-13:

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Today, the Church is experiencing a revival of interest in the Bible. The knowledge and practice of lectio divina are becoming more widespread, not only in monastic and religious communities, but also among all the people of God. Archbishop Magrassi's book is a classic on the subject. It introduces us to an atmosphere of faith in which the Church, for twelve centuries, was nourished on the Word of God. Out of his vast knowledge of the Fathers and medieval monastic authors, Magrassi has created a synthesis of the elements that make up the unique and singular experience of lectio divina.

Broken Body, Healing Spirit

Broken Body, Healing Spirit PDF

Author: Mary C. Earle

Publisher: Church Publishing, Inc.

Published: 2003-07

Total Pages: 129

ISBN-13: 0819219282

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Using the Benedictine practice of lectio divina, or holy reading, as a way of reading an illness, as a way to relate better to one's body and soul.