{"id":2621,"date":"2026-10-12T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-12T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/resources\/?p=2621"},"modified":"2026-09-28T19:46:13","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T23:46:13","slug":"epray-ep-75-lectio-divina-gratitude","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/resources\/2026\/10\/12\/epray-ep-75-lectio-divina-gratitude\/","title":{"rendered":"ePray | Ep. 75 Lectio Divina: Gratitude"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/a>\n\n\n\r\n
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ePray | Lectio Divina: Ep. 75 Gratitude<\/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 75| October 12, 2026
\nLectio Divina: Gratitude<\/strong>
\nWith M\u00e9lodie-Joy Desjardins – Youth Unlimited Montreal<\/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: Gratitude
\nDate: October 12, 2026
\nScripture: Colossians 3:15-17<\/strong><\/p>\n

M\u00e9lodie-Joy Desjardins<\/b><\/p>\n

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

\n
Welcome\u2026 I\u2019m so glad you\u2019re here today.<\/div>\n
Before we begin, take a moment to settle your heart and mind and become aware of God\u2019spresence with you.<\/div>\n
If you’re comfortable, close your eyes.<\/div>\n
Take a slow, deep breath in… And slowly breathe out\u2026<\/div>\n
Once more\u2026 breathe in\u2026 And as you breathe out, allow your body to release some of the tension you may be carrying.<\/div>\n
Just be still for a moment\u2026 and know that God is here.<\/div>\n
Our theme this month is gratitude.<\/b><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
When we think about gratitude, our minds may naturally go to the things God has given us\u2014the prayers He has answered, the ways He has provided, or the blessings we can name.<\/div>\n
But today, our Scripture reading invites us to consider gratitude from another perspective:<\/div>\n
What about our gratitude for one another?<\/b><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The people God has placed in our lives can be some of His greatest gifts\u2014and sometimes relationships can also be difficult.<\/div>\n
In Colossians 3, Paul speaks to people learning how to live together as one body. He calls them toward compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and love.\u00a0 And then, in our passage today, he tells them to let the peace of Christ rule in their hearts\u2014and to be thankful.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Let’s pray. O Holy Spirit, quiet our hearts before You. As we listen to Your Word, show us the people <\/b>we may need to see differently. Where frustration, hurt, or anger has taken up too much<\/b>space, let the peace of Christ rule. Teach us to see one another with gratitude and to <\/b>respond with Your love. Amen.<\/b><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Our Scripture today is Colossians 3:15\u201317<\/b>.<\/div>\n
As you listen, notice how often Paul connects the way we live with one another to peace and gratitude.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u2018<\/b><\/span>And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message aboutChrist, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.\u2019<\/b><\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u201cLet the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.<\/b>\u201d<\/b>There is something powerful about the word rule<\/b>. When relationships become difficult, something is going to influence how we respond.\u00a0 Sometimes it’s frustration.\u00a0 Sometimes it’s hurt.\u00a0 Sometimes it’s our need to be understood\u2026 or to be right.And if we’re not careful, we can begin rehearsing what someone has done wrong\u2014the words they said, what they failed to do, or all the ways we wish they would change.<\/div>\n
But Paul gives us another invitation:Let the peace of Christ rule. <\/b>And then he adds:Be thankful.<\/b><\/div>\n
What if gratitude can help us loosen our grip on ourselves\u2014our need to be right, to be heard, or to have our own way\u2014and help us see the whole person<\/b> again? Not ignoring what is difficult. Not pretending hurt isn’t real. But refusing to allow someone’s shortcomings to become the whole story we tell ourselves about them.<\/div>\n
Jesus showed us a love that does not insist on itself, but willingly lays itself down for one another.<\/div>\n
Take a moment now to sit with the Lord.<\/div>\n
\u25cf<\/b>Is there someone whose faults have become easier for you to see than the gift <\/b>they are?<\/b><\/div>\n
\u25cf<\/b>Is there frustration, hurt, or anger toward someone that you need to surrender <\/b>to Jesus today?<\/b><\/div>\n
\u25cf<\/b>What might change if the peace of Christ\u2014not your frustration\u2014were allowed <\/b>to rule your response to them?<\/b><\/div>\n
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Pause<\/div>\n
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Part 2: Outward Focus<\/strong><\/p>\n

Now, let’s consider how gratitude might shape the way we see those God has entrusted to us through ministry. Bring to mind a young person you serve. Maybe it’s someone you love spending time with. Or perhaps it’s someone you find more difficult to connect with.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

In ministry, it can become easy to notice what needs attention.The appointment that was missed. The commitment that wasn’t followed through on. The behaviour that keeps resurfacing. The choice we wish they hadn’t made\u2026 or the one we wish they had. These things may need to be addressed. But they are not the whole person<\/b>. The young person we serve are more than their behaviours, their struggles, or the choices they make.<\/div>\n
They are deeply loved by God\u2014and worthy of being seen through His eyes.<\/b><\/div>\n
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What might gratitude change about the way we see them?<\/b><\/p>\n

Can gratitude help us see the person before the behaviour?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Pause<\/p>\n

Let’s listen again to the words of Colossians 3:15\u201317. This time, as you listen, hold that young<\/p>\n

person before the Lord.<\/p>\n

\u2018<\/i><\/b><\/span>And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one<\/i><\/p>\n

body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message about<\/i><\/p>\n

Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the<\/i><\/p>\n

wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful<\/i><\/p>\n

hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving<\/i><\/p>\n

thanks through him to God the Father.<\/i><\/p>\n

\u2019<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

\n

As you continue to hold them before the Lord\u2026<\/p>\n

What is something about this young person that you can thank God for today?<\/b><\/p>\n

Is there a frustration or expectation you need to release so that you can see<\/b><\/p>\n

them more clearly through the eyes of Jesus?<\/b><\/p>\n

How might gratitude change the way you speak to them, pray for them, or walk<\/b><\/p>\n

alongside them this week?<\/b><\/p>\n

Pause<\/p>\n

As we come to the end of our time together, remember that gratitude is more than noticing the<\/p>\n

blessings around us. It can change the way we see one another.<\/p>\n

When we allow the peace of Christ to rule in our hearts, we can loosen our grip on frustration,<\/p>\n

make room for gratitude, and choose to respond with love.<\/p>\n

May the peace of Christ rule in us, gratitude reshape how we see one another, and love<\/b><\/p>\n

guide how we respond.<\/b><\/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.<\/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 October is Gratitude. As we start a new fall season may this guided prayer help you find ways to express gratitude…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":96,"featured_media":2617,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[91],"tags":[133,107],"class_list":["post-2621","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-epray","tag-gratitude","tag-october"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2621","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=2621"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2621\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2625,"href":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2621\/revisions\/2625"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2617"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2621"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2621"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2621"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}