Micah Stilwell: Praying Lectio Divina
Lectio Divina is the convergence of two core practices of Christianity that I had not directly associated before: reading the Bible and prayer. It has not only taught (and continues to teach me) the intentional act of listening to the Holy Spirit, but also an important posture of prayer: resting in God’s presence. Lectio Divina was my introduction to "mystical" or "contemplative" prayer, as opposed to discursive prayer, which is the only understanding of it I had when I was growing up. Too often do I fall into the trap of treating scripture as a book I must siphon understanding from, as opposed to simply reading it with open ears and a receptive heart. How often are the disciples pictured sitting at the feet of Jesus their teacher, soaking in as much as they can of their Rabbi’s complex teachings, and asking Him questions about His parables? So in Lectio Divina, I’ve learned to listen to what God is speaking to me. Not in the conceptualization of the passage, but in entering Jesus’ presence with no expectations save acknowledging communion with Him in prayer as a gift, hearing the gentle whisper of the Holy Spirit, and asking the Father what He desires to speak to me at that particular moment in my life.
Micah is a senior from Holland, Michigan. He is a business major and a ministry minor. Micah plays bass in the chapel band.