Divine Praying Journal

 Lectio Divina:

 Devotional Bible-Reading

 

Isaiah 26:3 NIV

You will keep in perfect peace

those whose minds are steadfast,

because they trust in you.

Step 1 – Read

Desiring the Simple Presence of God

Using the intellect, we seek for the objective meaning of the Text.

 

Bible Reading : 

Characters : 

Who are the characters ?

Circumstance :

Where, when, why, how ?

Teaching :

What does the text say ?

Step 2 – Meditate

Desiring a Personal Understanding of His Word

 Using the heart, we find what the text is saying to me 

– the individual is challenged by the text.

Bible - Text for Meditation

What is the text telling me?

How does it affect my life ?

What does it remind me of ?

Step 3 – Pray

Desiring Knowledge of God’s Will

 

Using our whole Being, we converse with God through prayer. A.C.T S. – Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication (Petition)

 

Prayer as Consecration of Life Experiences to God

Adoration (Praise): Praise the Lord for the glimpse of His love that this text offers you.

Confession: What do I recognise is wrong in my life and needs to change?

Thanksgiving: How does this text stir gratitude in my heart? For what am I thankful?

Supplication for ourselves: What petitions does this text inspire me to ask of the Father?

Supplication for others: Who does this text inspire me to pray on behalf of?

Prayer: Consecration of Life Experiences to God

 

Step 4 – Contemplate

Desiring to Obey God

 

“We take up, as a gift from God, his own way of seeing and judging reality, and ask ourselves what conversion of mind, heart and life is the Lord asking of us? Contemplation aims at creating within us a truly wise and discerning vision of reality, as God sees it, and at forming within us “the mind of Christ” (1Cor 2:16).”

 

Pope Benedict XVI

What conversion of mind, heart, and life is the Lord asking of me?

Conclusion – Action

The process of Lectio Divina is concluded when it arrives at action.

We use our will to cooperate with God’s grace to act upon the word of God.

 

 What is it that I am supposed to do?

 How should I plan on doing it?

求充滿這地 Come and Fill this Land

 Worship Songs for the Seasons in life

This song came about towards the end of COVID19 Pandemic. It speaks about asking God to heal our land, to heal it so that it will come forth with bountiful harvests.

【求充滿這地 / Come and Fill This Land】官方歌詞MV - 大衛帳幕的榮耀 ft. 陳雅玲

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xj7daezGohs

詞 楊家寧 曲 李宗唐 演唱 陳雅玲 喔主 感謝祢創造這土地 以永恆話語 賜下無限生命 用恩典的馨香氣息 祝福這地 讓我們全心跟隨祢帶領 喔主 感謝祢創造這土地 以慈愛澆灌 以喜樂耕耘 用無數的白晝黑夜 孕育這地 順服的人情 感恩的心情 現在都只願 以基督的心為心 主求祢充滿我們 來醫治這地 痛苦疾病要過去 神蹟在運行 主求祢充滿我們 來轉化這地 黑暗權勢要離去 主求祢充滿我們 來醫治這地 全地看見祢榮耀 祢復興降臨 主求祢充滿我們 來轉化這地 全地尊榮祢聖名 為祢而站立 一生祝福 永不停息 世代因祢愛延續 呼求祢

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxTbFVx8KhA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dezthEiFrIo&list=RDGMEMQ1dJ7wXfLlqCjwV0xfSNbA&index=4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzoxlDy7Zr0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMsZZaV5UNY

Praying Romans 8:28

 

Romans 8:28

“And we know that in all things God works for the good who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

PRAYER: “God, You promise in Your Word that in all things You work for my good. Right now, there are circumstances in my life that don’t feel good and that I can’t see an ounce of good in (talk to God about the specific situations that are causing you difficulty or pain). Even though this is how I feel, I choose to believe Your truth over my feelings. When You say You will work in all things for my good, I believe You. Even in situations that seem hopeless, I know You are working on my behalf and that You want more for me than I could ever want for myself. Thank You for having a purpose for me and for working all my circumstances for good.”

Thank you Heavenly Father for you are a all-knowing, all-presence God. You are present in my life and in my loved one's lives. In your infinite wisdom and power, there is mercy and grace and your keen eyes searches the earth over and makes sure that we are safe and be under your divine protection. When vices and evils roams the earth, you send your spirit forth to roam alongside to counter them and your spirit covers over the whole earth. 

Christms in August - The Child-King

Christmas in August

Child-King

“Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan— The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭9‬:‭1‬-‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/111/isa.9.3-7.NIV

Hope in times of turmoil

Restoration in leadership 

Divine intervention 

Historical reference 

Restoration of glory

PAR OU SIA - Coming of the King

How would this Child-King return? 

1. He will return personally 

John 14:1-3

2. He will return unexpectedly 

1 Thessalonia 5:1-2

3. He will return gloriously 

1 Thes 4:16

2 Thes 1:7-8

How are we to prepare?

1. Live from the glorious prospect of seeing the Lord

1 John 3:2-3

2. Ready yourself for sufferings 

Acts 14:22

3. Work faithfully for Christ

Matt 25:1-13

Parable of 10 virgins 

Write the Vision

Envision the results

Think through the process

Begin with the end in mind

Write down your vision

Make a Vision Board

State your milestones

Begin Charting your journey towards the end goals

You have not because you ask not

Write your vision into a prayer

Pray that vision 

Have faith in it 

When you lose faith, have faith in God

For God will make it comes true

You just have to commit to work hard on the list

~ Doria, July 2023 

In the Bible, Habakkuk 2:2-3 has a very clear verse about importance of having a vision clearly written out like, like write it BIG, on a tablet, so big that as a runner run passes that tablet, it could read it. Writing the vision details on a board making it easier to be read. Almost like a banner in the room, road sign or street name. This is the ancient way calling it Tablets and in the current age, we could this the Vision Board. For a vision to come to fruitation, it has to go through meticulous planning, hardwork and enduring challenges. It will take a long time to await for the appointed time of completion of the vision. If it seems like taking longer or too long or delayed, the older English word is "tarry", do not lose hope, do not lose faith, wait for it ! For those who put their faith and hope in God, it will surely come to pass ! This is a promise for those who wait on the Lord, who commits their life to Him and acknowledges the provisions of God in our earthly mortal life.  

Steve Harvey gave a good talk on this verse and also the other verse about asking the Lord in faith for what we desire to achieve in our vision. 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlMAIYd7-J4&t=9s

Habakkuk 2:4 says : The righteous will live by his faithfulness and not puffed up. We are to recognise that we dream the vision, we work towards it, ultimately God is the one to bring it to fruitation for our life and our being is in God's loving hands. Our job is to remain faithful towards God and follow Christ in our daily living.