{"id":2598,"date":"2026-09-21T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-21T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/resources\/?p=2598"},"modified":"2026-09-15T10:18:23","modified_gmt":"2026-09-15T14:18:23","slug":"epray-ep-72-lectio-divina-renewal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/resources\/2026\/09\/21\/epray-ep-72-lectio-divina-renewal\/","title":{"rendered":"ePray | Ep. 72 Lectio Divina: Renewal"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/a>\n\n\n\r\n
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ePray | Lectio Divina: Ep. 72 Renewal<\/h2>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Listen to the episode here, or read the transcript below – and don’t forget to tune in weekly!<\/p>\n

ePray | Episode 72| September 21, 2026
\nLectio Divina: Renewal<\/strong>
\nWith Karen Bott – Youth for Christ Canada<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Lectio Divina: Renewal
\nDate: September 21, 2026
\nScripture: Lamentations 3:22\u201324<\/strong><\/p>\n

Karen Bott<\/b><\/p>\n

Part 1: Inward Focus<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Renewal can sound like a fresh beginning\u2014a chance to leave behind what has been difficult and start again. But renewal does not always come after everything has been resolved.<\/p>\n

The words in Lamentations were written in the midst of grief, loss and uncertainty. The writer does not deny what has happened or pretend that life is easy. Instead, in the middle of the pain, he remembers something that remains true: God\u2019s love has not ended and his compassion has not run out. His mercy is new every morning.<\/p>\n

Renewal is not pretending that yesterday did not happen. It is receiving what God offers us today.<\/p>\n

Sometimes we look for renewal in dramatic change. Yet often God chooses to renew us quietly\u2014through enough strength for the next step, for a brief moment of peace. It could look like a renewed sense of hope or assurance that we are not alone.<\/p>\n

Listen to the familiar words of Lamentations 3:22-24<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause of the Lord\u2019s great love we are not consumed,<\/em>
\nfor his compassions never fail.<\/em>
\nThey are new every morning;<\/em>
\ngreat is your faithfulness.<\/em>
\nI say to myself, \u2018The Lord is my portion;<\/em>
\ntherefore I will wait for him.\u2019\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Sit comfortably and place your hands open on your lap as a sign that you are willing to receive from God.<\/p>\n

Take a slow breath and become aware that God is present with you.<\/p>\n

Notice and ask yourself:<\/p>\n

Where do I feel tired, depleted or in need of renewal?<\/p>\n

You do not need to fix or judge what you notice. Simply bring it honestly before God.<\/p>\n

Silence<\/strong><\/p>\n

Now name what you are carrying from yesterday\u2014a disappointment, regret, worry, or a situation you cannot control.<\/p>\n

Silently pray:<\/p>\n

God, I place this in your hands.<\/p>\n

Silence <\/strong><\/p>\n

Hear these words again:<\/p>\n

God\u2019s compassion never fails. His mercies are new every morning.<\/p>\n

Ask God:<\/p>\n

What mercy do you want me to receive today?<\/p>\n

It may be forgiveness, courage, rest, or simply the assurance of God\u2019s presence.<\/p>\n

Silence <\/strong><\/p>\n

Renewal often begins with one small, faithful response.<\/p>\n

God, what are you inviting me to receive or do today?<\/p>\n

Do not search for a dramatic answer. Pay attention to any quiet invitation that comes.<\/p>\n

Silence <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Part 2: Outward Focus<\/strong><\/p>\n

What burdens or disappointments may be making it difficult for the young people you serve to experience hope?<\/p>\n

Silence<\/strong><\/p>\n

How could you or your ministry become a tangible expression of God\u2019s compassion and renewal for them this week?<\/p>\n

Silence<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n

Part 2: Closing Prayer<\/b><\/p>\n

We will close with an ancient prayer for God\u2019s peace and protection as we entrust ourselves into his care.<\/p>\n

O God,<\/span>
\n<\/span> from whom all holy desires, all good counsels,<\/span>
\n<\/span> and all just works do proceed:<\/span>
\n<\/span> give to your servants that peace<\/span>
\n<\/span> which the world cannot give;<\/span>
\n<\/span> that our hearts may be set to obey your will;<\/span>
\n<\/span> and that we, being defended from the fear of our enemies,<\/span>
\n<\/span> may pass our time in rest and quietness;<\/span>
\n<\/span> through Jesus Christ our Lord.<\/span>
\n<\/span> Amen.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n\n\n

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Return to ePray<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Listen to this episode<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Welcome. Our theme for September is Renewal. As we start a new fall season may you find renewal through this guided prayer…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":96,"featured_media":2593,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[91],"tags":[132,105],"class_list":["post-2598","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-epray","tag-renewal","tag-september"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2598","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/96"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2598"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2598\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2611,"href":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2598\/revisions\/2611"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2593"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2598"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2598"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2598"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}