God’s Word in us, through us and over us
Scripture focus:
Joshua 1:7-9, Ephesians 6:14-15, 2 Timothy 4:1-2, 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5
Opening prayer:
As I enter prayer now, I choose to be still and remember that you are God. Lord, I slow down and return all my attention to you. Holy Spirit, enlighten the eyes of my heart and illuminate my mind with understanding as I pray today. I pray this for all those who join me in prayer and fasting in the KC Underground family.
Prayer of praise:
Lord, your Words have creative power to create something from nothing, in Creation and in me. I praise you because your Words are always true and always wise. I can trust every word you speak. Your words have implicit power; they are living and active. Your word never returns void and accomplishes what it speaks. I praise you for your Word. Lord, speak to me.
Move #1: God’s word in us.
Lectio Divina:
Today we will engage in an ancient form of Bible Engagement called Lectio Divina. This involves four simple steps:
Lectio: Read the passage slowly and carefully, making sure you understand the words.
Meditatio: Ponder the words, allowing them to penetrate your awareness through your senses, imagination, feelings, and visualization. Consider the inner meaning of the text and what the Holy Spirit might be saying to you.
Oratio: Respond to the sacred words in prayer, either silently or out loud. You might be moved to praise, adoration, or giving thanks.
Contemplatio: Rest in God’s presence. You can move freely between the steps as the Spirit leads.
Slowly move through the four steps, engaging the passage below. Be open to see if a particular word or phrase stands out for you. Why does it stand out? Ask the Lord what He wants you to notice.
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8
The ability of the people of God to be strong and courageous in their mission was contingent on them meditating on the Word, day and night, as well as, participating in the Word by obeying immediately. Continue praying about your own meditation upon and participation in the Word.
As you pray, consider:
What is my current pattern for scripture engagement?
How well does that pattern include the “day and night” pattern recommended here?
How well do my current practices include meditation of the Word and participation in immediate obedience?
Now, write an ‘I will…” statement based on what you heard.
Move #2: God’s Word Through Us
Engage the following passages through the four steps of Lectio Divina:
So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. Acts 6:7
It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also… So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.
The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists…In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed.
On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down.. But the word of God increased and multiplied. Acts 12 1-3, 5-7, 18-19, 21-24
Continue praying about your own meditation upon and participation in the Word.
Pray now for…
The Word of God spreads in every context where the Underground has disciple-makers and microchurches.
Pray for the number of disciples to rapidly increase in those contexts and that large numbers of “unlikely suspects” to become obedient to the faith.
Pray for the Lord to send angelic assignments to every context where disciple-makers and microchurches of the Underground are engaged and that those assignments would be successfully completed.
Pray for the word of God to increase and multiply all over our city through Discovery Bible Studies/Groups in new contexts.
Move #3: God’s Word Over Us
Engage the following passage through the four steps of Lectio Divina:
I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: Preach the message, be ready whether it is convenient or not, reprove, rebuke, exhort with complete patience and instruction. 2 Timothy 4:1-2
Continue praying about your own meditation upon and participation in the Word.
Consider the following questions:
Who is that you need to share the gospel with? Ask the Lord to show you specifically who He wants you to be ready to share the gospel with, both those who believe and those who do not.
Now pray for each of them by name that they would be ready to receive the gospel of peace with faith.
Pray you will be ready to share the gospel with them, whether it’s convenient or not.
Pray that every disciple-maker in the Underground will be ready to share the gospel in their context, whether it’s convenient or not.
Pray that those who hear the gospel from them will be ready to receive it with faith.
