How Do You Pray with the Bible?

Monday, May 18 at 8 PM ET, Father Mike will answer your questions LIVE, for the first time ever on Ascension Presents! Whether your question is about why Catholics do the weird things they do, how you can overcome a specific challenge, or what Father’s favorite meal is, tune into the Ascension Presents KZbin channel to ask Father Mike live!
You know you should be praying. But do you ever wish someone would show you how? Fr. Mike starts by showing us how to pray with the Bible with a time-honored method called lectio divina. Typically it consists of five steps:
1) Read a short snippet of Scripture, a few verses. (This is the “lectio” part.)
2) Meditate on those verses. Think about what you read. Is there any hidden meaning, anything you didn’t notice at first?
3) Pray about what you read. Talk with God about the passage.
4) Meditate again and maybe read the passage again in light of what God spoke to you.
5) Contemplate. Rest with what you just prayed about. Ask God what you should take away from the passage. Ask him what he’s telling you to do next.
Fr. Mike walks us through a Scripture passage involving John the Baptist where he employs the steps of lectio divina.
Now, Fr. Mike points out that when we pray with the Bible, it’s not always mind-blowing. But don’t be discouraged. Here’s his analogy.
Where Father is from in Minnesota, smooth rocks on the lakeshore are called “skippers” because the smoother the stone, the farther the skip. Sometimes when we’re walking along the lakeshore we find the perfect rock for skipping across the water. Other times we don’t, but we find a rock that’s good enough. Sometimes that’s how lectio divina works. Sometimes a verse really jumps out at you, but other times there may be a verse that’s just good enough. God will still speak to you through it if you use the “good enough” verse in your lectio divina. So don’t be discouraged if a verse doesn’t jump out at you.
More resources on prayer and lectio divina:
What Is Lectio Divina? (bit.ly/2yHAknn)
How to Pray Lectio Divina (bit.ly/3btJnFI)
Oremus: A Guide to Catholic Prayer (bit.ly/3dKeNJE)
Praying Scripture for a Change: An Introduction to Lectio Divina (bit.ly/35W2BCF)
Pray, Decide, and Don’t Worry: Five Steps to Discerning God’s Will (bit.ly/3curQ1u)
More free content on prayer from Ascension (bit.ly/35UyEmw)
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[@jfcmanalo]

Okay I seriously can’t get over how good the timing is of when these videos drop. I was just having trouble reading my bible the past few days and literally just finished reading when this video dropped. Gonna jump back in it - thank you fathermike!

[@Clareeehys]

I always think that haha!! Videos designed especially for me!

[@chicagoman393]

The Father and the Son are the Parents of the Holy Spirit, literally or metaphorically. The Trinity is a Family---literally or metaphorically two Parents and a Progeny literally or metaphorically, similar to a human family.(Humans are made in the "likeness" and "image" of God according to Genesis 1:26, although the human author of Genesis probably didn't know about the Trinity when he wrote Genesis) In the book of Job, which is in the Bible, God is compared to a father and a mother with a womb "From whose womb comes the ice? Who gives birth to the frost from the heavens?"-Job 38:29. Because we can think of God as like a mother (Isaiah 42:14, Isaiah 66:13, Matthew 23:37, Catechism of the Catholic Church 2nd edition paragraph 239), all three roles in a basic human family(father, mother, progeny roles) are filled in the Trinity. Saying that the Father and the Son are literally or metaphorically the Parents of the Holy Spirit is another way of saying "the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son" which has been official Catholic teaching for centuries. The Church teaches that the Son is begotten by the Father. If this is correct, the Father is the Father(Parent) of the Son. The Church teaches that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son. If this is correct, the Father and the Son are (literally or metaphorically) the Parents of the Holy Spirit. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (second edition) paragraph 246 says that the Holy Spirit's "nature and subsistence" is "at once...from the Father and the Son."If the Church calls Mary mother(parent) of God even if Mary isn't the first source of Christ's humanity(God is the first source), then the Son can also be called (literally or metaphorically) a Parent of God (the Holy Spirit). I think that the Father is the principle-Parent and the Son is the begotten-Parent(literally or metaphorically). Some early Christians thought that the Holy Spirit was the Mother-figure because in the languages (Aramaic, Hebrew) that Jesus spoke (during Jesus' time and through at least the 4th century), Spirit was a feminine noun. (Some languages like Spanish assign genders to genderless nouns) The scriptures are vague if the Holy Spirit is the Second or Third Person of the Trinity, whichever of these is true, the First and the Second may be (literally or metaphorically) the Parents of the Third. Parent definition from Merriam-Webster dictionary: One that begets or brings forth offspring. Principle means base/foundation/first-source/first-origin/root-cause. The Church teaches that: Father, Son, Spirit are eternal (have always existed) and the Father is the Principle with regards to origin, not time. We can say that: the Father is the eternal Parent of the eternal Son, and that the Father and the Son are literally or metaphorically the eternal Parents of the eternal Spirit. Stay indoors to avoid flu and coronavirus. Stay indoors to avoid coronavirus and flu.

[@jfcmanalo]

Clare Dee haha exactly!

[@paulmiller3469]

I know. I'm putting together virtual instruction for high school students (because we can't meet face to face until this virus passes) and, while on the prayer pillar, I was debating with myself whether to get into Lectio Divina.

[@deedadee2]

Love providence

[@paulduffy7572]

We call them skimmers it skims across the lake father Mike I loved this terminology I'm Paul from Scotland, Glasgow thanks father Mike I'm 51 I'm learning all the time 😅Amen...

[@darrenwelsh7803]

Fellow Glaswegian here, God Bless

[@Smoothbluehero]

Haunted! I just watched this video as a guide and then I looked at my liturgical calendar for this Sunday’s New Testament reading and it was Mt 3:1-12!!!

[@AnnaKoehnArt]

Hi, Fr. Mike! Thank you for sharing! I love lectio divina! When my brother died 7 years ago I began praying with the scriptures every day. I am a Catholic artist, wife, and mom. I have a youtube channel on which I share my art and my catholic faith. I cling to this practice daily and it has transformed my life. Jesus is my best friend now!

[@reginag700]

I'm just about to head out to adoration, so perfect timing, thank you!

[@mobiledragon3449]

Thank you so much! You’re very nice and you explain it in a very kind, friendly way! I will make sure to do this because I’m thirteen and have realized that following Jesus is the way to go.

[@scottsworkyt]

Awesome!! Stick with it, it’ll be hard at times

[@mobiledragon3449]

@@scottsworkyt thanks man, I’ve started just reading the Bible now, really helps to love God when you get to know him!

[@onetallgirl1369]

Perfect timing! I started this thing yesterday where I was going to pray with a bible verse every day for the next 10 days. God must have seen me struggling last night! lol!

[@ronrodriguez925]

Father Mike talks just as fast as us Hispanics 😂 Praise God! Thanks again Father Mike

[@DavidAlonso-xh7pt]

Dang man. He is so good at what he does

[@Richie016]

simpler than academic Examinations! thanks Fr. Mike

[@marvinmansueto6081]

Waw! What a down-to-earth practical way to describe Lectio Divina. Indeed, at times the shorter the text the more impact it may have in our heart. At times, a tiny phrase dwells with me all through the day. Thank you Fr Mike.

[@leonlawre]

Have read the lectio divina study bible many times. Am now reading the orthodox study bible as I am Byzantine Catholic. It is very good too. More traditional.

[@Thesleepypoet]

Thank you so much for that analogy Fr Mike. A few days ago, I was in a lot of emotional pain and committed to praying and reading the Bible daily (which I hadn't done well in years). My steps are: 1. Listen to 1-2 worship songs 2. Pray about my day and everything on my mind 3. Read a small section of the Bible (been reading 2 Corinthians) 4. Pray about what I read, applying it to my life. At the end I say a few Catholic prayers in rotation. The first three days, the sections I picked at random were perfect. Then, two days ago, I couldn't relate and was discouraged. I did pick something else, but began questioning whether I was on the right track. This message really does inspire me to continue. Thanks once again.

[@sandyh3100]

Jesus loves u I love u. Love ur self, God speed beautiful.

[@sustainingsubrina]

this morning was the first time i ever tried lectio divina on my own and what a surprise it was to see that this was uploaded the same day! God is good :))

[@kathylawson6337]

Thanks for the reminder to not put so much pressure on myself to find the perfect verse to meditate on, but to just give that time to the Lord in prayer and trust he will meet me there. Peace

[@debiwills8683]

Liked the way it had the the reference to the skipper on the beach. Never thought of praying this way when reading the Bible.

[@peytonfamily1198]

Bogged down by the Latin of the whole thing! That was so me! It just sounded so intimidating by the name, that I kept putting off looking it up even though I was interested! I feel understood!😂 Thanks so much for breaking it down and making it so much less intimidating! God bless!

[@auchiethomas2560]

Fr Mike is so fun 😄

[@keaganwalker1539]

I have always struggled with lectio, thanks for explaining it so simply and straight forwardly. God Bless!

[@JesusIsLove2512]

Praise the Lord Jesus Christ 🙏

[@ziziscorsese9475]

Hello Fr . Mike best wishes from the cold white north -Toronto .

[@gretacurley2531]

Skipper analogy- so timely, so good! Thank you! ❤️

[@angelasimpson5581]

Thank you Fr Mike! You removed the pressure I have been putting on myself about the Holy Spirit not making a phrase stand out sometimes. I do Lectio Divina most nights before I go to bed and the Holy Spirit might not have made something stand out, but now I know I can choose something as that point

[@chocdesglacons]

Thank you Mr. Chad Priest!

[@Sam-lk6eo]

I didn't know how to read the Bible until a little while ago, I would flip to any random page and will find alot of events that will relate with me and my life thinking that was Jesus or an Angel making me land on that page and verse ? And when I find that skipper for me, It can either make me feel Sad ( Feeling Bad for doing WRONG ) or Happy ( Trying to walk in the Light ). But either way, I ask Jesus for help and after that, I feel Good again regardless. But the fact that you can talk and take the time to ask Jesus for "Help" It is priceless and the best feeling. The weight is lifted off your shoulders. God Bless !

[@BindingTheYoke]

lol reading the bible is the same as reading a book, no wrong or right way to do it. But if you want to pray with it, follow the steps father is talking about. /:)

[@marier4329]

Thank you Father. I was struggling with my Lectio Davina today. This really helped. Thank you

[@davidrasch3082]

Working(praying) my way thru Fr. Pennington's book'Lectio Divina'.

[@Junerdoza0107]

Father Mike, it has been so hard praying the Bible. I feel like the enemy attacks me and it’s been constant. Not giving up and I pray everyone is finding peace.

[@chachatruth3534]

Keep going dont give up! Give each moment to God Before you know it you have given your life!

[@Junerdoza0107]

chacha Truth Thank you! Please keep me in your prayers. God Bless You! I will keep you in my prayers ❤️🙏🏽

[@ashlings390]

Father Mike needs to have his own superhero character, he's saving God's sheep, one lamb at a time. This video is so inspiring and helpful. Thank you Ascension for such a great line up of amazing Catholic speakers.

[@annemariemiller9807]

I love everything about this video. I know all the things about Lectio Divina but hearing you describe it made my heart burn to read the scriptures again and the confidence to do so. I love your analogy of 'skippers' as well. Thank you!

[@revive-hopeandhealingminis7000]

Fr. Mike I am so glad you did this video! In this time of isolation, we have transitioned our lectio groups to video conferencing platforms and it is a beautiful way to stay connected to each and to God's Word. Lectio is a surefire way to encounter the Living God.

[@seaglasssparkles6910]

I hope you are back doing it on person.

[@Name-le2cc]

Father you're the best 🥰. I wish the ask seesion will be earlier but it's okay I will see the replay.

[@soroushfetkovich5084]

Thank you dear father! You said it so right!

[@elavandra_hirmiz]

Fr Mike, you always give the best analogies 🙌🏼 Loved this

[@mm7846]

Mediation is the absence of thought (so you can hear the still small voice) and contemplation is thinking. Not trying to nit pick, just think mediation is important.

[@mikkis668]

Super. Clear, simple and inpiring. 👍

[@meanmom4823]

Thank you for defining it and explaining the Lectio Divina. God bless you!!

[@whatisinpi7689]

Hi mom!!

[@bitachocho]

Thanks Fr. Mike

[@caroc4327]

Always great content Father. Thank you and so engaging!

[@emira3957]

Hey, this is good information, thanks for sharing! I'm not religious, but this can help anyone through their life journey.. Brings clarity & deeper meaning!

[@c_h_r_i_s_t_c_o_r_e]

God loves you, I pray you read the gospel and try what he is saying. You will hear him speak to you.

[@SenseiIceman]

Thank you and your team for everything u do

[@doloresvega4420]

God bless you Father🙏🏼 love the way you put things in perspective .

[@ivonnemedrano8937]

God bless you Father Mike and just ignore the negativity and negative comments from people who post here continue to do your work for the Lord and continue to do your videos and don’t take the negative comments personally some people do need to repent and go to confession for their negative comments about you whom they really don’t know you on a personal level and have not ever met you in person (ignore the haters and those who falsely accuse you for no reason) they are tools who are trying to stop and impede your progress. God bless you .When you are pleasing the Lord and in good standing with God there are going to be people who oppose you and don’t like what you do or say ignore them and move on those are not your people, continue to do your good work Father Mike. don’t change who you are for no one unless God ‘s Holy Spirit instructs you and leads you to do so. Take care.

[@madmech153]

Great video father! Everything you do is so helpful for building my faith and others! May God bless you 🙏✝️

[@cmoberg2036]

Thank you so much for this information... I used to do this all the time..I need to get back into it. And I have a journal to write down my thoughts.

[@mariadessahpanoy983]

Thank you so much for this Father Mike. God bless you always 😊🙏

[@snoopy1965]

Father Mike you are such a blessing. Please pray for me.

[@ingridbela4258]

😊❤father mike

[@soroushfetkovich5084]

Why aren’t more people subscribe to this amazing channel!

[@archreynoso5373]

Lectio Divina dailies is in the Universal app, great app for Catholics.

[@crisleem]

One suggestion: after doing Lectio Divina perhaps look up the CHURCH'S explanation of that particular scripture that you just read, prayed and contemplated about. Knowing the history of what was going on in the scripture helps us to KNOW what God is saying to us. Not always, but many times.

[@chachatruth3534]

Cheers Fr P.s u had me I bits with last Sunday's homily! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@sneddenrodricks8442]

Every morning when I get up I pray the rosary (before I start my day) then I go on to KZbin and Ascension presents ends up to be the first 3 recommendations every time on my home tab. So I believe that it is not KZbin recommendation, but God's recommendation (every morning) so praise God for this 😊✝️🙏

[@sandyh3100]

Jesus doesn't like repetitive prayer like the rosary, love jesus, love yourself, love your family, be kind and uphold the 10 God speed

[@sandyh3100]

Oh and walk the way.

[@dymphnatherese2595]

Fr. Mike, could you please do a video on the difference between self compassion and self pity? I think we could really benefit from your enlightenment on that! Also, thank you for all you do. You help to save the souls on the internet one view at a time... and then some! Keep hanging in.

[@seedsensei]

thanks father mike

[@dashriprock5720]

Awesome! Thankyou so much

[@joyyoung3319]

Thank you Father Mike. God bless you!

[@sanjalisnjic7271]

Thank you for an excellent explanation! 😇🙂

[@AngelaAngel-ee8wn]

Thank You Father

[@zrobert66]

Thank you Fr. Mike Blessings

[@markuskokkonen122]

The part about the skippers really spoke to me i look for those perfect rocks all the time i live close to a lake

[@benjaminaloysius7752]

Thank you Father Mike. God bless.

[@eyahj4967]

Perfect timing! I've been pondering as well how to pray and read it with Psalms a day. I always read the Bible, like a few chapters everyday, there's so much going on and to reflect about. I didn't know I could pick just a certain verse to focus on and meditate. Sometimes it's really overwhelming added to the fact I might interpret God's Word incorrectly. Didn't know that's how Lectio Divina works, thanks Fr Mike!! Love and prayers from the Philippines.

[@jacquelinenongsiej8451]

Thanks you 🙏🏻Fr Mike✨ you always give the best analogies

[@effem8594]

i was askin the holy spirit to teach me. then this pops out . thanks

[@palace_pro4923]

JESUS CHRIST bless🙏🙏🙏

[@wreloise1]

Thank you

[@s.a.joignant8848]

Thank you! Thank you!

[@marcusleandro119]

Soo charismatic

[@shadowdweller-ps.9119]

Thank you!!!

[@w6rick12008]

Thank you Father Mike, could you talk about our guardian angels?

[@mariaclara7218]

Awesome. Thanks a lot!

[@Elijah_Al-Naysaburi]

Blessings . 🌷🌷🌷

[@michellerallens2032]

Thank you!!! I get it!!

[@dlc5785]

Thankyou

[@iva2754]

Really really great video ♥️♥️♥️

[@CARS63]

Definitely a genius LOL! That's really helpful. Thank you!

[@MHow-vd5xv]

St Joseph pray for us

[@terrinicas1619]

Fr. Mike, you are so funny!

[@leafgang8254]

Hey Fr. Mike! I was wondering if you could do a video on why it is ok to baptize infants and why we believe in original sin. My girlfriend has had a lot of confusion with these topics and I’m not doing a very good job of explaining them. Thank you so much!

[@hannahbonnell2322]

Thank you, Father! This helped so much

[@waynejeez5620]

Following Christ is "simpler" (John 8:12).

[@margaretvanson3601]

In New Zealand, we call them skimmers. Thanks for the help with lectio divina. I think I can manage that. I'm too much of a realist /pragmatist to do the jesuit thing of putting myself in the scene. My brain tells me that's pretense and I like real. So not a good prayer match for me. Your suggestions are totally do-able. God bless

[@linakoh4206]

Thank you Father oh this is perfect I always wonder what it means by meditation and contemplation! Thank you for explaining this is truly something I learn. Oh btw Brother Dimand from Vatican Catholic told me that we shouldn’t use the word GOSH as often used as a euphemism for taking Gods name in vain... 🧚🥰👍🏻

[@seaglasssparkles6910]

I find it very innocent.

[@MariaPullatt]

Oooh I needed this! Thanks! :)

[@jennyd9765]

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge!! LWY laughing with you lol

[@Rhoda678678]

so cool!!

[@dswms8779]

I missed your live ask father Mike, 😢😢😢 will you do another one soon?

[@zavalajoseraul]

Jajajajaja I just started today to incorporate lectio divina in my daily life, so perfect timing!

[@formangrilling111]

That’s the day before my birthday!!

[@donnasiracusa4700]

Recently God called me to read the gospels before I do my daily rosary. I have to admit; I was reading the entire chapter. However, when I read 1 Corinthians where the bible speaks about Love is Kind, never boastful...well I read the entire chapter. You stated to pick a verse and meditate; however, how do you put what you read together with something else in the bible if you just started reading it. Should you just meditate on what you read and how it applies to you current situation? Have a Blessed Day Father Mike!!!!!

[@paulmiller3469]

I'd say it depends on your situation. How well do you know Sacred Scripture? If well, then you can find a 'skipping stone' and just read and meditate on that, because you already have a fair idea of the storyline and how the verse probably was intended. If not so well, then you may want to start out by reading whole chapters, for context, and then on second reading try to pare it down some. While there are literally countless ways to do Lectio Divina, most will stress some type of repetition of the reading (which Fr. Mike kind of glossed over here), so for someone who doesn't know Sacred Scripture so well, I'd recommend that telescoping approach - first reading, whole chapter; second reading, maybe just the passage that best captures your immediate attention (often the chapter will be broken up by little headers); third reading, a single verse.

[@anng.4542]

Would love to hear an example.

[@JKimmi_]

Hi ascension presents! Can you have international shipping, please?

[@rejithregi2588]

You're a genius

[@Dah_J]

Mike do you believe we are saved by grace alone and justified by faith alone

[@elvirasanchez3464]

Sometimes, it happens I think of a person that fits in that message.

[@lunasol1244]

I miss my Son R.I.P

[@st_xult]

LOL!! 😂🤣 "Great question campers!"

[@anafuentes6936]

On certain bibles, at the bottom they have a small note of what it meant or what was historically reffering to. I suggest reading those to be able to understand the bible. I like reading the word on the United States conferance of catholic bishops website. Full bible with links to more scripture and understanding to what it all comes from or means. It is really awesome to understand. It gives me an easier time to really oray about what i understand. And not make my own interpretation of what the bible says in my head.

[@Cecilia.27]

Who knew? I have been doing this before I even knew what it was!