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ePray | Lectio Divina: Ep. 77 Gratitude
Listen to the episode here, or read the transcript below – and don’t forget to tune in weekly!
ePray | Episode 77| October 26, 2026
Lectio Divina: Gratitude
With Jen Hubbard – Greater Vancouver Youth Unlimited
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Lectio Divina: Gratitude
Date: October 26, 2026
Scripture: Philippians 4:4-7
Jen Hubbard
Part 1: Inward Focus
Welcome everyone to our weekly epray. Thank you for joining us in this time of prayer and reflection. Our focus for this month is gratitude. As we begin our time, I invite you to focus and turn your attention toward Jesus.
Take a deep breath.
Let your shoulders drop.
Become aware of God’s presence with you – right here, right now.
Our scripture is Philippians 4:4-7.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
There’s a lot happening in that one passage:
Rejoice.
Show gentleness.
Sense God.
Don’t be anxious.
Be Thankful.
Ask God.
Guarded by God.
How does it all fit together? In my life, I can so easily see that when I lift my eyes to God with thanksgiving, He shifts my perspective, my anxieties lessen, and my mind (at least for that moment) is transformed. Maybe it’s more that when I can be thankful, God lifts my eyes from me to Him and I’m changed.
Let’s take a few moments to reflect:
The more hardships life presents us with, the harder it can be to be thankful for what we have. Is being thankful easy for you?
Pause
What helps you to be thankful? What helps you lift your eyes to God?
Pause
Part 2: Outward Focus
Think of a young person you know.
How do you help the young people in your world be thankful?
Pause
How can you encourage teens to offer thanks to God—even if things feel messy or uncertain? Is God inviting you into their story? Is there a word, a gesture, or a prayer you could offer?
Pause
God is so good in how He helps us lift our eyes to Him. He wants to lift the load we carry–and being thankful is one way to access that shift in perspective.
Take a moment to be thankful for all God has done and will do.
Pause
Part 2: Closing Prayer
We will close with an ancient prayer for God’s peace and protection as we entrust ourselves into His care.
O God,
from whom all holy desires, all good counsels,
and all just works do proceed:
give to your servants that peace
which the world cannot give;
that our hearts may be set to obey your will;
and that we, being defended from the fear of our enemies,
may pass our time in rest and quietness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.