IN THE WILDERNESS GATHERINGS

Making Space for God in a Noisy World

 

Do you realize the importance of carving out time and space in our lives for prayer and solitude? It’s easier said than done, especially in a world that not only accepts but even celebrates the very things that pull us away from God:

 

1. Busyness – Culture disguises it as being “productive.”

2. Constant motion without rest – Slowing down is often labeled as laziness.

3. Numbness instead of feeling – Emotions are often written off as weakness.

4. Self-obsession – From “higher self” to “self-love,” the world has become so consumed with self that there’s little room left for what God desires.

 

On top of that, we’re weighed down by the never-ending responsibilities of daily life—work deadlines, family needs, bills to pay, meals to prepare, endless notifications, and the constant demand to “keep up.” Add to that the temptation of doom-scrolling and mindless digital distraction, and it’s no wonder our minds are stretched thin and our hearts restless. All of this leaves little space for quiet, and too often we fail to make room to hear from the One voice that truly matters: our Creator.

 

But what if we went against the grain? What if we followed Jesus’ example in Matthew 14?

 

“After He had dismissed the crowds, He went up the mountain by Himself to pray.” (Matthew 14:23)

 

Even Jesus—God in the flesh—took time to step away, be alone, and pray to His Father. If He saw this as necessary, how much more do we? Jesus knew where His strength, wisdom, direction, peace, and love came from. And since we are called to walk as He did, let’s make the choice—right now—to dedicate time to cultivate our relationship with Him and open ourselves to the life we were created for.

 

God speaks the loudest in silence.

 

What to Expect:

 

Join me on Saturday mornings for a time of Holy Listening—a sacred pause to be still, breathe, pray, listen, and reflect. This is about creating space for God to speak His truth into our lives, grow us, heal us, and equip us.

 

Though I’ll guide us gently through prayer and meditation using the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, this is not a group event in the traditional sense. You’re not showing up for me—I’m simply the facilitator of time. You are setting aside this hour to meet with your Savior.

 

Here’s how it works:

 

• Find a quiet outdoor space.

• Grab your phone, tablet, or laptop.

• Tune in live (I’ll also be outside, streaming).

• Bring only yourself—no extras required. You can roll out a mat or blanket, or settle into a cozy chair. 

 

Optional: A journal can be helpful too—I like to write down what I sense God speaking to me, so I can return to it later.

 

God is calling. Will you answer?

 

Session Details:

 

• FALL Session Begins: October 18 at 8:30am

• Duration: 4 weeks

• Location: Online via Zoom

• Register to receive the link

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What is Lectio Divina? 

 

Lectio divina, which means “divine reading” in Latin, is an ancient Christian practice of prayerfully reading and meditating on Scripture to deepen one’s relationship with God. It first developed in the early centuries, shaped by the way the early church fathers and monks approached Scripture with slowness and reverence.

 

• 3rd–4th century beginnings: Early fathers like Origen (c. 185–254) encouraged believers to read Scripture prayerfully—not just to gain knowledge, but to be transformed by it.

• 6th century: St. Benedict (480–547), often called the father of Western monasticism, formalized the practice in The Rule of St. Benedict. Monks were instructed to spend portions of each day in lectio divina—slow, meditative reading of God’s Word.

• 12th century refinement: Guigo II, a Carthusian monk, wrote The Ladder of Monks, where he clearly outlined the four classic steps we still use today:

   

  1. Lectio – reading

  2. Meditatio – meditating

  3. Oratio – praying

  4. Contemplatio – contemplating/resting in God

• Modern use: Through the centuries, lectio divina has remained alive in Christian monastic communities and has recently been rediscovered by believers across many denominations who desire deeper, slower engagement with Scripture.

 

Lectio divina is over 1,500 years old in its formal structure and firmly rooted in Christian tradition. At its core, it’s not about “studying for information,” but about encountering the living God through His Word—allowing Scripture to move from the mind into the heart, shaping our prayer, our faith, and our daily walk with Christ.

 

So, rather than studying the Bible academically or rushing through passages, it invites a slow, contemplative approach in the above four steps: lectio (reading the passage carefully), meditatio (reflecting on its meaning and what God might be saying personally), oratio (responding to God in prayer), and contemplatio (resting in God’s presence and allowing His word to transform the heart). This practice is less about gaining knowledge and more about encountering God intimately through His living Word.

 

To be clear, You do learn from Scripture in lectio divina, but the goal is different from a Bible study. In a traditional study, the focus is often on gaining historical, theological, or literary knowledge about the text—understanding context, language, and meaning. In lectio divina, the emphasis is more relational and spiritual: you’re listening for how God is personally speaking to you through the passage. So while knowledge may naturally come as you reflect, the deeper purpose is to let the Word move from your mind into your heart—shaping your prayer life, faith, and daily living. In short: Bible study seeks information, while lectio divina seeks transformation.