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ePray | Lectio Divina: Ep. 34 Joy
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ePray | Episode 34| November 24, 2025
Lectio Divina: Joy
With Darryl Parsons – Youth for Christ Canada
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Lectio Divina: Joy
Date: November 24, 2025
Scripture: Philippians 4:4-5
Darryl Parsons
Part 1: Inward Focus
Welcome, our theme for November is joy
As we pause to turn our thoughts toward God, we begin with a breath prayer.
One of the most common prayers in the Psalms is “Lord, have mercy.” The Desert Fathers and Mothers developed this into a breath prayer that became known as the “Jesus Prayer”: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
To begin, slow your breathing (and your heart rate) by inhaling deeply, holding your breath briefly, and then exhaling slowly.
Imagine yourself breathing in God’s Spirit. As you hold your breath, become aware of the indwelling Spirit. As you breathe out, release your anxieties so that you can live freely in God’s loving presence.
Breathe in slowly and deeply as you whisper or think, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God.”
Hold your breath and your awareness of God’s presence for a moment.
Then exhale as you whisper or think, “have mercy on me, a sinner.”
Our scripture passage is PHILIPPIANS 4:4-7
Always be full of joy in the Lord.
I say it again—rejoice!
Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do.
Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
Don’t worry about anything;
instead, pray about everything.
Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.
His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Paul writes these words from a Roman prison. Those are not the kind of circumstances that would naturally lead to peace and joy. Where do you find yourself today? Are you in a place that feels oriented toward joy, or are your circumstances causing you fear and anxiety? Share your honest feelings with God.
Pause
The invitation of these words is not to give in to fear. How do you want to respond to that invitation today?
Pause
Where do you see beauty and grace in the circumstances of life today?
Pause
Part 2: Outward Focus
As we read the passage again, think about the young people in your sphere of influence.
Always be full of joy in the Lord.
I say it again—rejoice!
Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do.
Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
Don’t worry about anything;
instead, pray about everything.
Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.
His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Are there one or two specific youth coming to mind who need to hear this word? Pray for them by name.
Pause
How might you be able to encourage someone today? Invite God to bring people or situations to mind and give you ideas for how you might share joy in a meaningful way.
Pause
Part 3: Wesleyan Covenant Prayer
We end this time with the Wesleyan Covenant Prayer:
I am no longer my own, but yours.
Put me to what you will, place me with whom you will.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be put to work for you or set aside for you, praised for you or criticized for you.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and fully surrender all things to your glory and service.
And now, O wonderful and holy God, Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer, You are mine, and I am yours.
So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth, let it also be made in heaven.
Amen.