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ePray | Lectio Divina: Ep. 38 Begin
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ePray | Episode 38| January 23, 2026
Lectio Divina: Begin
With Josh Lott – Youth for Christ Canada
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Lectio Divina: Begin
Date: January 23, 2026
Scripture: Zechariah 4:10
Josh Lott
Part 1: Inward Focus
Welcome, friends.
As you arrive at this moment, take a deep breath in and a slow breath out. Let your body settle, your mind quiet, and your heart become aware of God’s presence with you right now.
Our theme for January is Begin.
We are listening today to a short but powerful verse from Zechariah 4:10, a word that speaks into places of small starts, fragile hope, and new beginnings. As this Scripture is read, turn your thoughts quietly toward the Lord. Ask Him: “God, as this new year begins, what do You want to say to me about the small things You are starting in my life and ministry?”
Listen now to Zechariah 4:10:
“Who dares despise the day of small things…?”
Let those words linger for a moment: “the day of small things.
Where in your life with God does something feel small, unimpressive, or easily overlooked? It might be a habit you are trying to start, a new discipline of prayer, a step toward healthier rhythms, or a fresh beginning in a relationship or in ministry.
As you rest in silence, you might gently ask:
●Lord, where am I tempted to despise or dismiss the small beginnings in my life?
●What are You beginning in me right now, even if it feels hidden or fragile?
●How do You see these small things?
Allow one of these words or phrases from the verse to stay with you: “small things,” “begin,” “do not despise.” Let it sink from your mind into your heart.
Let us pause for a moment to be silent and listen.
Pause
Part 2: Outward Focus
We will listen again to this verse, but now with our hearts turned outward.
As you hear Zechariah 4:10 again, ask the Holy Spirit to bring to mind one young person in your life—a student, a young leader, someone in your community—for whom God is beginning something new. It might not look impressive from the outside. It might be barely noticeable. But God sees and values the “day of small things.”
Listen again:
“Who dares despise the day of small things…?”
Hold that young person before the Lord now. Picture their face. Remember where you last saw them, what they are walking through, how you have seen even the smallest signs of God at work in them.
In this quiet space, you might ask:
●Lord, what “small thing” are You beginning in this young person’s life?
●How are You inviting me to notice, encourage, and bless what You are doing in them?
●Is there a word of hope, a prayer, a simple act of presence you are calling me to offer?
Let us pause for a moment to be silent and listen.
Pause
Consider how this word might change your perspective today:
When you see small steps—a question asked, a tiny bit of vulnerability, a single choice to come closer to Jesus—ask God to help you celebrate rather than overlook those beginnings.
Ask the Lord to help you begin again too: in prayer, in love, in showing up for young people, trusting that He delights in the day of small things.
Invite God now to give you one concrete response for today: a conversation to start, a message to send, a prayer to pray, or a simple act of faithfulness in the small things.
Part 3: Closing Prayer
As we close this time, we end with a prayer of surrender that echoes the heart of the WesleyanCovenant Prayer—offering our beginnings, our small things, and our whole selves to God.
Let us pray together.