Dear Human Is a Verb Community,

If you’re the kind of tired that makes even good things feel like too much (that IS tired!), this prayer practice is for you.

This second episode of the Praying with Scrpture and Song mini-series invites you to pray with Psalm 32. Each episode is designed to join you on the way, while you’re driving, walking, folding laundry, or taking a quiet moment between everything else.

It’s a 20-minute refuge, a hiding place, so that your nervous system can breathe and you can return to your more human self.

A practice like this is rarely just for one person. So how about sharing it? If someone you love is carrying too much right now, someone anxious, grieving, overwhelmed, or spiritually hungry, sharing this is a way to say, “You don’t have to do this alone. Here’s a place to rest.”

Here is the full schedule of practices/episodes:

Episode 1, Soften me, Oh God: Psalm 51

Episode 2, Hiding Place: Psalm 32

Episode 3, Still Walking: Psalm 121

Episode 4, Drop Everything: Psalm 95

Episode 5,You Might Be Real: Psalm 23

Episode 6, Wait for Morning: Psalm 130

Episode 7: We Are Still Here; Psalm 118

Julene

Welcome to Human Is a Verb—a podcast about practicing the sacred work of being human. I’m your host, Julene Tegerstrand.

This is the second episode in a seven-part prayer practice miniseries called Praying with Scripture and Song.

In each of these seven episodes, we’ll use a practice called Lectio Divina—Divine Reading.

In the 12th century, a monk named Guigo II described Lectio Divina as a ladder. He imagined each movement of the practice lifting the heart toward God. We begin by slowly reading a passage of scripture and staying with a word that draws us. Then we allow that word to meet us right where we are in our present-day life. Then we speak to God from that place. And finally, we rest—we rest in the presence of God.

In this practice, the text becomes a voice that addresses us—or rather, an opportunity for God to address us through scripture and through our own listening.

So we come to the text with openness. We come attentive. And we allow ourselves not just to read—but also to be read.

Today we’ll move through this prayer together in a few simple steps: a brief moment of music, a short breathing practice, time of listening to scripture using Lectio Divina, and then an invitation to continue praying through a song. Let’s begin.

We’ll begin with a short piece of music. Just let it help you slow down and settle into this moment.

Arriving in the Body (Breath Prayer)

Let’s give our bodies a moment to arrive. If you’re driving or walking, keep your eyes open and your attention where it needs to be. Nothing here requires you to change your pace.

Notice that you’re already breathing—air coming in, air going out.

Now let’s add a gentle rhythm to your breathing: inhale for four and exhale for six.

Inhale through your nose: 1… 2… 3… 4…Exhale slowly: 1… 2… 3… 4… 5… 6…

Again: inhale… 1… 2… 3… 4…Exhale… 1… 2… 3… 4… 5… 6…

Inhale… 1… 2… 3… 4…Exhale… 1… 2… 3… 4… 5… 6…

Now let your breath return to its natural rhythm.

As you keep breathing, notice one place where your body meets the world around you—your feet on the ground, your hands where they rest. The sense that you’re being held by something beyond yourself.

Lectio Divina (Psalm 32:5–11, NLT)

In a moment you’ll hear Psalm 32, verses 5 to 11. I’ll be reading from the New Living Translation.

I’ll read the passage once. Listen for a word or phrase that catches your attention—something that, for you today, feels alive.

Scripture (Read 1):

Finally, I confessed all my sins to youand stopped trying to hide my guilt.I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord,”and you forgave me!All my guilt is gone.

Therefore, let all the godly pray to youwhile there is still time,that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment.For you are my hiding place;you protect me from trouble.You surround me with songs of victory.

The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.I will advise you and watch over you.

Do not be like a senseless horse or mulethat needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”

Many sorrows come to the wicked,but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord.

So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him!Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!

Spend a few moments considering what word—or perhaps a phrase—might be inviting your attention today.

Meditatio (Read 2: Listening for the Word)

Julene: This time, listen again for a word or phrase that’s inviting your attention today. Consider what that word or phrase might mean for you today. Once I read the passage, I’ll pause to give you a chance to pray with the word or phrase that’s inviting your attention.

Psalm 32 (Read 2):(Repeat of Psalm 32:5–11, NLT)

Oratio (Turning Reflection into Prayer)

Let your reflection become prayer. Speak to God quietly in your own words.

Contemplatio (Resting)

Julene: In this fourth round, I invite you to let go of the words and simply rest in God’s presence.

As we continue to pray, we’re going to do so with a song inspired by Psalm 32. As you listen, notice what moves in you. You might notice where something feels heavy, or where something feels lighter.

Let this song meet you wherever you are today.

Song: “Hiding Place”

Closing Prayer

God of mercy, in a full and hurried world that pulls our attention toward what drains us and away from the connections we long for—gather us again into your steady love. Lift the burdens we’ve been carrying. Guide us with your gentle voice, and surround us with the freedom and joy that come with being known and being held by you.

Amen.

Outro

Julene: Thank you for listening and taking the time to pray. Most of the music you heard today on this podcast was created using Suno.

You can find a link to the song “Hiding Place” on my Substack at humanisaverb.substack.com, and it’s also going to be in the show notes for this episode.

In the third episode of Praying with Scripture and Song, we’ll be praying with Psalm 121. The accompanying song will be “Still Walking,” which says: “My hope is not in what I see, not in the things that promise peace. My hope comes from the One who stays, who made the stars and shapes my days.”

So I hope you’ll come back and pray with us in the next episode.

May you continue to live and pray and breathe in such a way that you grow into your true humanity.

I look forward to praying with you again. Go in peace.

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