Vineyard Covington

Join us this week as we practice another ancient prayer practice together: The Daily Examen. Here are the five steps mentioned in the video:

Step 1: Become Aware of God's Presence

Step 2: Gratitude

Step 3: Pay Attention To Your Emotions

Step 4: Ask & Pray

Step 5: Hope & Trust

We can learn to hear God speaking to us actively and personally through meditating on the words of scripture and choosing to respond. Here's how to try it with us this week:

Select a verse or short passage from Scripture that you would like to pray, and allow God to guide you in your choice. The length is up to you. (Need a passage? Try John 6:32​-36) PREPARE (Silencio)— Find a quiet, comfortable place. Take a few deep breaths and invite the Holy Spirit, who inspired the Word, to open your heart to the message God is speaking to you.

READ (Lectio)—Read your selected text slowly several times, letting your awareness rest on each word. Make it personal and listen for the still small voice of God as you read, noticing any word or phrase that catches your attention and seems to stands out above the rest.

REFLECT (Meditatio)— Meditate on the word or phrase that stands out, slowly repeating it and engaging in dialogue with God. What emotions does this bring out in me (anxiety, fear, comfort, joy, longing, peace)? Is there a reason this word or phrase stands out? How does this apply to my current life circumstance?

RESPOND (Contemplatio)—Speak to God as a good father who loves and accepts you. Experience God using the word or phrase that He has given you as a means of blessing, of invitation and transformation. How should you respond? Give to God what you have found within your heart and rest in God’s presence. Wordless, quiet rest in the presence of God is called “contemplation.” Simply be with God, resting in the unique, one-of-a-kind, unconditional love that God has for you.

Jesus really cares for the people we may think are the furthest away from him, and we want to love like Jesus. This week pick 2-3 people in your life to pray for each day to come to know and experience Jesus.

Join us this week with a simple prayer practice that can help us become more like Jesus and do the stuff he did. Try asking this question when you pray: Father, what are you doing?

We are committing to practicing the way of Jesus together as a community to continue to apprentice ourselves to him. If being more like Jesus is our goal, then it has to be more than just admiring his words and his example. It has to be expressed in our actual day-to-day behavior, inner life, and social presence. Join us as we lean into the practice of prayer together!

We are committing to practicing the way of Jesus together as a community to continue to apprentice ourselves to him. If being more like Jesus is our goal, then it has to be more than just admiring his words and his example. It has to be expressed in our actual day-to-day behavior, inner life, and social presence. Join us as we lean into the practice of prayer together!