Leah Landry
- Nov 26, 2023
- 5 min read

Devotional Week 4: It's Almost Advent!

Welcome to Week 4 of the Pursuing Peace: Through the Love Letters of St. Paul Part Two devotional preview. Thank you so much for joining in on this journey and allowing your light to shine a little bit brighter! As this final week falls right after the Thanksgiving holiday, this preview scripture was chosen for its virtue and Virtue of the Week purposed steps. In preparation for the upcoming Christmas celebrations which follow the hustle and bustle from the Thanksgiving season, we thought everyone could use a little more patience and understanding, quiet time in the presence of the Holy Spirit, and a gentle reminder that we are all "members of the same body...in the promise of Christ."

Let's Get Started: Sunday Lectio Divina

Get settled into a comfortable and quiet space where there will be no interruptions. This is your time with the Lord, and what is needed here most is your presence. Once you are settled in, close your eyes and prepare yourself for what the Lord has for you this day. Quiet yourself and offer yourself up to God. Ask Him to open your heart and your mind as you share this time with Him so that you may receive what He is offering you. Make this process a part of your daily prayer routine. You'll be amazed at the affect it has on your prayer time and day!

We are using Romans 4: 18-21 this week. It was submitted by Dana Dicharry. The virtue we are focusing on is Patience. The companion song to use as prayer or meditation throughout the week is "Loyal" by Lauren Daigle. You may also want to listen to this song during the Weekly Lectio Divina on Sunday.

Read the scripture once slowly. Consider reading it again in multiple translations. Allow the words to settle in to you heart and read the passage again out loud. Listen for words that light up for you. Underline, highlight, or jot them down in your journal or on the provided lines.

Next, spend some time letting these words settle in. Ask yourself, "Where does the word connect with my life right? Who do I most identify with in the scene? What does the passage say about Jesus?" Write your thoughts in your journal or in the space provided in the devotional.

Now reflect on what thoughts, feelings, and desires come to mind. Pause and ask Jesus to guide you.

Pray. Talk to God about the words He revealed. How is He inviting you to respond? Allow the scripture to lead you into a prayer response. Maybe it's to spend time in adoration, offering up a prayer of thanksgiving or intercession, or turning up the radio and belt out some praise and worship songs!

The Last step in the Lectio Divina process is to rest in Him. Rest in His presence. Deeply receive God's word and rest in His love. Stay in the arms of God until you fell prompted to leave.

Some people find it helpful to jot down a Vision of the Week. Doodle words or images you want to take with you into the week to refer back to when you need a quick reminder of your message.

In the weekly pages you'll see a reminder of the Virtue of the Week. This has a few guided suggestions of actions you may want to take in the week to help you develop that virtue. Feel free to do any or all of them.

This weeks Virtue of the Week suggestions are:

Pray the Prayer of Patience and Understanding. (p.18)
Sit in a quiet meditation for 5 minutes per day.
Pray a Novena for the Sick.