During these 21 days of prayer and fasting we as a church are praying for one another. We encourage you to pray these verses over each person who is a part of NewHope.
Colossians 1:9-10
“So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.”
Know that you are prayed for a consistent basis. As a church our hope and desire for your life is that you would pursue spiritual wisdom and understanding. That comes from spending time with Jesus, being in community and incorporating spiritual practices into your life.
What would I like spiritual growth to look like in my life this year?
A spiritual practice: Lectio Divina.
Lectio Divina is a contemplative way of reading the Bible. It dates back to the early centuries of the church. It is a way of praying the scriptures that leads us deeper into God’s word.
Using the above scriptures take some time today to reflect and be renewed by this spiritual practice as you follow these movements.
Silent preparation: Sit in a comfortable setting with God for 5 minutes prior to reading Colossians 1:9-10. In the quietness you may want to something to God such as, “Open my eyes to the wonderful things in your word.”
Reading: Read the passage out loud to yourself, slowly pondering God’s word within you. Listen to words that resonate and settle within you. Linger on words or phrases that capture your attention and cause you to take notice. Savor the silence after the first reading.
Meditation: Re-read the passage, listening this time to where the Word connects to your life right now. If you desire, enter the scene in your imagination, envisioning the people and surroundings within it. Notice what you experience as you wait and listen in some silence following your reading.
Prayer: Read the passage one more time, listening attentively with your whole being focused on God’s word. How has God invited you to respond? Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you into prayerful response without censure.