Do Not Worry
Lectio Divina ~ By Bill Gaultiere ~ SoulShepherding.org
Matthew 6 (NIV 1984)
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Lectio Divina Process (Repeated three times):
(a) Focus question (below)
(b) Read Scripture
(c) Quiet Prayer/Journaling
(d) Verbal Prayer in Small Group
Focus Questions for Each Reading:
1st Reading: Reflect on one word or phrase the Holy Spirit impresses on you
2nd Reading: Respond in prayer with emotion about a personal struggle, longing, or opportunity
3rd Reading: Rest in a personal invitation or affirmation spoken to you by the Lord (On the back of the page you can write down what you think God might be saying to you).
About Soul Shepherding
Soul Shepherding is for you and your ministry. We offer counseling, spiritual direction, groups, retreats, and training for pastors, pastors’ wives, missionaries, and other servants of the Lord. Lectio Divina is one of the disciplines for the spiritual life that we teach. Soul Shepherding is a 501c3 nonprofit ministry led by Dr’s Bill and Kristi Gaultiere and supported by tax deductible donations.
