For those in Darkness [Light is Dawning]
Pittman, Lauren Wright. For Those in Darkness [Light is Dawning], from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=57084 [retrieved January 20, 2023]. Original source: Lauren Wright Pittman, http://www.lewpstudio.com/.
Spiritual Practices: Lectio Divina
Lectio Divina, or Diving Reading, is a method of reading, reflecting on, and praying the Scripture that has been used by the church for centuries. It focuses on communing with God in Scripture rather than simply studying Scripture for intellectual understanding. Click here for more information on how to practice Lectio Divina. Here are some suggested verses in this passage that may lend themselves to conversation with God through the practice of Lectio Divina.
Suggested Verses
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shone.
(Isaiah 9:2)
For the yoke of his burden,
and the staff for his shoulder,
the rod of his oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
(Isaiah 9:4)
Lectio Divina, or Diving Reading, is a method of reading, reflecting on, and praying the Scripture that has been used by the church for centuries. It focuses on communing with God in Scripture rather than simply studying Scripture for intellectual understanding. Click here for more information on how to practice Lectio Divina. Here are some suggested verses in this passage that may lend themselves to conversation with God through the practice of Lectio Divina.
Suggested Verses
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shone.
(Isaiah 9:2)
For the yoke of his burden,
and the staff for his shoulder,
the rod of his oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
(Isaiah 9:4)
Spiritual Practices: Breath Prayer
Overview
In this passage, Isaiah prophecies the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali. He talks about them being brought into contempt and living in darkness. This is not their permanent state, however. Jesus is coming. He is the focus of this prophecy. He is the light of the world, he is the one who multiplies the nation, he is the one who breaks the yoke, he is the one who breaks the rod of the oppressor. This prophecy is about hope, and so is the breath prayer.
Prayer
Light of the world, shine on me.
Overview
In this passage, Isaiah prophecies the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali. He talks about them being brought into contempt and living in darkness. This is not their permanent state, however. Jesus is coming. He is the focus of this prophecy. He is the light of the world, he is the one who multiplies the nation, he is the one who breaks the yoke, he is the one who breaks the rod of the oppressor. This prophecy is about hope, and so is the breath prayer.
Prayer
Light of the world, shine on me.