Divine Walking
A spiritual practice for people who find it hard to focus, like me.
During seminary I joined two popular spiritual practices together to create something that helps me connect with God. I have found it to be very effective over the last year. I hope you try it and find it helpful in your walk with Jesus.
Divine Walking
What is Divine Walking?
Divine walking incorporates elements of Lectio Divina (a meditative approach to reading scripture, translated as "divine reading," that involves four steps: reading, meditating, praying, and contemplating) and Prayer Walking (praying while walking). Keep reading for a brief description and framework.
WALK
Word - Choose a section of scripture on which to meditate, memorize it if you can.
Align - Pray out of the Scripture, follow any or all of the Lectio Divina movements (silence, reading, meditation, pray out loud, contemplation).
Listen - Ask God “What is the Scripture speaking to me at this moment?”
Know - internalize what came to mind during the walk, share with a friend or write it down.
You can bring a phone with you for scripture reference (non-digital is preferred) but make sure to place it in a “Do Not Disturb” mode.
The Framework - 4 week plan
On Wednesday, Friday, and Monday (or any 3 days of the week that work for you) exercise Divine Walking for at least 15 minutes using the prescribed verses for each day. An example follows, but feel free to use any portion of Scripture for this. The Scripture is intentionally presented in a sequence that facilitates a progressive building on itself. On Wednesday, there are verses on which to focus, Friday and Monday each build on the previous day, with the idea to focus on the new verses while keeping the previous verses from that week in mind.
All the end of each week, Journal and answer the following questions based on the Scripture you selected:
Schedule
Week 1- Identity (All Scripture used is NLT)
Wednesday
13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
Ps 139:13–14.
Friday
13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
They cannot be numbered!
18 I can’t even count them;
they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up,
you are still with me!
Ps 139:13-14,17-18.
Monday
13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
They cannot be numbered!
18 I can’t even count them;
they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up,
you are still with me!
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 Point out anything in me that offends you,
and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
Ps 139:13-14,17-18, 23-24.
Week 2 - Our need for God’s unfailing love
Wednesday
As the deer longs for streams of water,
so I long for you, O God.
2 I thirst for God, the living God.
When can I go and stand before him?
Ps 42:1–2.
Friday
As the deer longs for streams of water,
so I long for you, O God.
2 I thirst for God, the living God.
When can I go and stand before him?
5 Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again—
Ps 42:1-2,5–6.
Monday
As the deer longs for streams of water,
so I long for you, O God.
2 I thirst for God, the living God.
When can I go and stand before him?
5 Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again— .
8 But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me,
and through each night I sing his songs,
praying to God who gives me life. Ps 42:1-2,5-6,8.
Week 3 - He is with us in the valleys
Wednesday
My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
Why are you so far away when I groan for help?
2 Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer.
Every night I lift my voice, but I find no relief. Ps 22:1–2.
Friday
My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
Why are you so far away when I groan for help?
2 Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer.
Every night I lift my voice, but I find no relief.
3 Yet you are holy,
enthroned on the praises of Israel.
4 Our ancestors trusted in you,
and you rescued them.
5 They cried out to you and were saved.
They trusted in you and were never disgraced. , Ps 22:1–5.
Monday
My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
Why are you so far away when I groan for help?
2 Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer.
Every night I lift my voice, but I find no relief.
3 Yet you are holy,
enthroned on the praises of Israel.
4 Our ancestors trusted in you,
and you rescued them.
5 They cried out to you and were saved.
They trusted in you and were never disgraced.
11 Do not stay so far from me,
for trouble is near,
and no one else can help me. Ps 22:1-5,11.
Week 4 - Walking with God
Wednesday
The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
3 He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name. Ps 23:1–3.
Friday
The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
3 He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
4 Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me. Ps 23:1-4.
Monday
The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows;
He leads me beside peaceful streams.
3 He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
4 Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
5 You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
forever. Ps 23
During seminary I joined two popular spiritual practices together to create something that helps me connect with God. I have found it to be very effective over the last year. I hope you try it and find it helpful in your walk with Jesus.
Divine Walking
What is Divine Walking?
Divine walking incorporates elements of Lectio Divina (a meditative approach to reading scripture, translated as "divine reading," that involves four steps: reading, meditating, praying, and contemplating) and Prayer Walking (praying while walking). Keep reading for a brief description and framework.
WALK
Word - Choose a section of scripture on which to meditate, memorize it if you can.
Align - Pray out of the Scripture, follow any or all of the Lectio Divina movements (silence, reading, meditation, pray out loud, contemplation).
Listen - Ask God “What is the Scripture speaking to me at this moment?”
Know - internalize what came to mind during the walk, share with a friend or write it down.
You can bring a phone with you for scripture reference (non-digital is preferred) but make sure to place it in a “Do Not Disturb” mode.
The Framework - 4 week plan
On Wednesday, Friday, and Monday (or any 3 days of the week that work for you) exercise Divine Walking for at least 15 minutes using the prescribed verses for each day. An example follows, but feel free to use any portion of Scripture for this. The Scripture is intentionally presented in a sequence that facilitates a progressive building on itself. On Wednesday, there are verses on which to focus, Friday and Monday each build on the previous day, with the idea to focus on the new verses while keeping the previous verses from that week in mind.
All the end of each week, Journal and answer the following questions based on the Scripture you selected:
- What is God teaching you about yourself?
- What is God teaching you about Himself?
- What is God teaching you about others?
- If you are a volunteer or Branches staff - What is God teaching you about Branches Church?
Schedule
Week 1- Identity (All Scripture used is NLT)
Wednesday
13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
Ps 139:13–14.
Friday
13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
They cannot be numbered!
18 I can’t even count them;
they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up,
you are still with me!
Ps 139:13-14,17-18.
Monday
13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
They cannot be numbered!
18 I can’t even count them;
they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up,
you are still with me!
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 Point out anything in me that offends you,
and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
Ps 139:13-14,17-18, 23-24.
Week 2 - Our need for God’s unfailing love
Wednesday
As the deer longs for streams of water,
so I long for you, O God.
2 I thirst for God, the living God.
When can I go and stand before him?
Ps 42:1–2.
Friday
As the deer longs for streams of water,
so I long for you, O God.
2 I thirst for God, the living God.
When can I go and stand before him?
5 Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again—
Ps 42:1-2,5–6.
Monday
As the deer longs for streams of water,
so I long for you, O God.
2 I thirst for God, the living God.
When can I go and stand before him?
5 Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again— .
8 But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me,
and through each night I sing his songs,
praying to God who gives me life. Ps 42:1-2,5-6,8.
Week 3 - He is with us in the valleys
Wednesday
My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
Why are you so far away when I groan for help?
2 Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer.
Every night I lift my voice, but I find no relief. Ps 22:1–2.
Friday
My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
Why are you so far away when I groan for help?
2 Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer.
Every night I lift my voice, but I find no relief.
3 Yet you are holy,
enthroned on the praises of Israel.
4 Our ancestors trusted in you,
and you rescued them.
5 They cried out to you and were saved.
They trusted in you and were never disgraced. , Ps 22:1–5.
Monday
My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
Why are you so far away when I groan for help?
2 Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer.
Every night I lift my voice, but I find no relief.
3 Yet you are holy,
enthroned on the praises of Israel.
4 Our ancestors trusted in you,
and you rescued them.
5 They cried out to you and were saved.
They trusted in you and were never disgraced.
11 Do not stay so far from me,
for trouble is near,
and no one else can help me. Ps 22:1-5,11.
Week 4 - Walking with God
Wednesday
The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
3 He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name. Ps 23:1–3.
Friday
The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
3 He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
4 Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me. Ps 23:1-4.
Monday
The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows;
He leads me beside peaceful streams.
3 He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
4 Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
5 You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
forever. Ps 23