Praying the Scriptures by Doreen Fox What book is larger than you? What book can expand your horizons, bring you into touch with a greater reality, and is full of interesting characters, real passions, and extraordinary events? - The Bible - Want to learn how to enter into the drama, the excitement, the colour and mystery of this timeless text? All it takes is a quiet spot, a love of using your imagination, and a leap in faith. Relax, ask God for guidance, and let go into a slow reading of an event or story that is not too long, and offers things that are easy to visualize. See the details, be there, and interact with the disciples, or Jesus himself. Let go of control and see what happens. The Bible can come alive as you use all your senses to encounter this living book.. For example, the story of Jesus calming the storm, as told in Mark, is easy to get into. Mark 4:35-41 - Jesus calms the storm. GET STILL After relaxing in a comfortable place and quieting my mind so it can focus, I ask God to come and speak to me through the story. READ SLOWLY Then I read the story over slowly noticing details, and seeing what's what, like looking over a recipe before getting out the ingredients I need to start to cook. ENTER IN When I'm familiar with the details, I began to see evening coming over the Sea of Galilee. I hear the gulls and see the reddish clouds in the west. I am one of the disciples, and feel grateful we can leave the noisy crowds behind as we push away from shore. Some other boats try to follow us but turn back as the wind picks up and the growing waves slap against the sides of the boat, spraying us with cold water. Land drops out of sight behind us. I begin to get nervous as I start to bail out the water that spills over the side. The boat is rocking and pitching and Jesus is asleep in the stern. The sky gets dark and we are all beginning to feel panic rise in our throats. Someone shouts and wakes him up - I am really afraid of capsizing so far from shore. We would all drown for sure out this far! I see Jesus slowly get up, and facing into the raging wind He lifts his hand and rebukes it! He tells the waves to be quiet and still, and suddenly the wind drops to a faint breeze and the waves smooth out! I feel awe and fear, and realize that this man has power such as I've never seen in a man. All of us are looking at each other in shock, when Jesus turns and faces us saying "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" REFLECT As I let the story wash over me, I begin to see Jesus in a new light. I feel the energy that comes from him and sense the authority that emanates from him. I feel trust rise up in my heart, that He has power now to help me cope with the storms in my own life. I find myself in the boat, after the storm, telling him what is troubling me. He listens and offers me comfort and advice. I ponder on what faith is, and ask Him to increase my faith. I try to take a step in faith by offering him the biggest problem I have at the moment and then I listen to hear what guidelines and direction come. I enjoy a deeper feeling of peace as I realize that I am not alone in my struggle. I sense He is with me, just as He was with his disciples in the boat 2000 years ago. I feel strengthened as I put down the Bible and get on with my day. Over the years, the images and experiences I've had while praying the scriptures have added up and produced in my heart and mind a greater 'felt' knowledge of God and His ways with human beings. It is recorded in scripture that Jesus perfectly reflects the nature of God. Col 1:15, Heb 1:3. If that is so, then I know I have a Heavenly Father that I can rely on for all my needs and sense of purpose in this world. In encountering God in scripture through the use of my whole self, that is my soul and spirit, I have come to experience a much greater inner peace and self-acceptance, as well as a deeper appreciation of other people and indeed of the whole of creation. An exciting relationship with God is unfolding, helping me to love more deeply, and to feel more connected to all that He has made. Doreen Fox: A Brief Biography A former school teacher, Doreen Fox is a Spiritual Director and has been associated with the Ignatian Center for 20 years now. She has also had 3 years of training in psychotherapy. Do and her husband are on team for Canadian Anglican Marriage Encounter, and are also members of St Mike's healing team. |
