{"id":2600,"date":"2026-09-28T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-28T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/resources\/?p=2600"},"modified":"2026-09-15T11:10:20","modified_gmt":"2026-09-15T15:10:20","slug":"epray-ep-73-lectio-divina-renewal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/resources\/2026\/09\/28\/epray-ep-73-lectio-divina-renewal\/","title":{"rendered":"ePray | Ep. 73 Lectio Divina: Renewal"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/a>\n\n\n\r\n
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ePray | Lectio Divina: Ep. 73 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 73| September 28, 2026
\nLectio Divina: Renewal<\/strong>
\nWith Naomi Van De Visch – 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

\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tReturn to ePray<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRead Transcript<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t
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Lectio Divina: Renewal
\nDate: September 28, 2026
\nScripture: 2 Corinthians 4:16<\/strong><\/p>\n

Naomi Van De Visch<\/b><\/p>\n

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

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Welcome everyone. For the month of September, we have been exploring the theme of \u201cRenewal\u201d. We reflected that when we hope in the Lord, He will renew our strength (Isaiah 40:29-30). We trusted that when we confess our sins, He will \u201crenew a steadfast Spirit in [us]\u201d (Psalms 51:10). We rejoiced because God\u2019s compassion is new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-24). Today we will find hope in the fact that the Holy Spirit is working in us to renew us.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The scripture passage for today is 2 Corinthians 4:16:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Holy Spirit, we come to you today in many different states. Some of us are refreshed and excited about the ministry year, but some of us feel weary and are losing heart. Holy Spirit, quiet our hearts so we can hear from you. Encourage us through your word.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Before we reflect on our passage, pray this breath prayer with me.<\/span><\/p>\n

Breath in, \u201cHoly Spirit.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Breath out, \u201cRenew me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Do this a few more times on your own.<\/span><\/p>\n

[pause and breath]<\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s read our passage again together slowly:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.\u201d <\/span>2 Corinthians 4:16<\/span><\/p>\n

2 Corinthians chapter 4 is bookended with this powerful statement, \u201cwe do not lose heart<\/em>.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The word \u201ctherefore\u201d points to the reasons we do not lose heart. The rest of this passage reminds us that we do not lose heart in ministry because God\u2019s power is revealed through our weakness, through jars of clay. We don\u2019t lose heart in ministry because in our weakness and dying, people are being given life in Christ.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What does that look like for you? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the reason that you should not lose heart in your ministry. Thank Him for what He reveals to you.<\/span><\/p>\n

pause\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s read our passage again:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.\u201d <\/span>2 Corinthians 4:16<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Greek verb for <\/span>renew<\/span><\/i> means \u2018to make new again\u2019 <\/span>(ana<\/span><\/i> + <\/span>kainoo).\u201d<\/span><\/i> The Holy Spirit is working in us to renew us day by day. Just like going to the gym each day builds muscles, \u201csuffering in the Christian life produces muscles that become a permanent part of our sp<\/span>iritual physique.\u201d (IVP New Testament Commentary Series)<\/span><\/p>\n

How have you seen the Holy Spirit renew you day by day? How has suffering built your spiritual muscles and strengthened your faith? Praise God for His work in your life.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

As we reread this passage, can you think of a loved one or young person in your life who is losing heart and needs to hear this word of encouragement?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.\u201d <\/span>2 Corinthians 4:16<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

As you have that person in your mind\u2019s eye, pray that they would not lose heart, but would experience God working through their weaknesses.<\/span><\/p>\n

pause<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pray that they would be renewed day by day by the Holy Spirit, first through salvation and then renewal of their minds. (Romans 12:2)\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

pause<\/strong><\/p>\n

As you enter into your day, may the Holy Spirit renew you and encourage your heart. May you see His hand at work in your weakness.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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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.<\/span><\/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-2600","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\/2600","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=2600"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2600\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2614,"href":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2600\/revisions\/2614"}],"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=2600"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2600"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2600"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}