Lectio Divina
About Lectio Divina
Lectio Divina is an ancient spiritual practice from the Christian monastic tradition. Its title derives from the Latin words meaning reading and divine/holy. In Lectio Divina, we seek to experience the presence of God through reading and listening, meditation, prayer, and contemplation.
Practising Lectio Divina
1. Text
Begin by choosing a section of the Bible that you would like to read and pray. Some good passages to begin with are listed below. Try not to set a goal for how much content you will cover; the goal is to listen for God and to experience his presence.
2. Preparation
Do what you must to quiet and prepare yourself to hear from God. If you need to find a quiet room, sit in silence for several minutes, or sit in a comfortable chair, take whatever posture will help you prepare to receive and experience God’s presence.
3. Reading/Listening
When you sense that your heart is prepared, begin by slowly reading the passage of the Bible that you have selected. Move slowly through sentences and phrases. As you read, pay attention to what word, phrase, or idea catches your attention.
4. Meditation
Next, begin to meditate on the word, phrase, or idea that has captured your attention. Repeat it again and again.
Consider:
What thoughts come to mind as you meditate on this word, phrase, or idea?
What are you reminded of in your life?
What does it make you hope for?
Meditation is no easy task—as you try to concentrate don’t be disappointed if random thoughts enter your head. As they do, offer them to God.
5. Prayer
Now begin to speak to God. Tell God what word, phrase, or idea captured your attention and what came to mind as you meditated upon it. How is God using this word, phrase, or idea to bless and transform you? Tell God what you have been thinking and feeling as you’ve listened and meditated. Tell God how you hope this word, phrase, or idea will change your heart to be more like His.
6. Contemplation
Finish by focusing your attention on the fact that God’s presence is with you. If as you try to focus on God’s presence you sense a need to read the text again, to continue meditating, or to simply continue talking with God, allow yourself to do so. As you do, know that you are in the presence of God.
Suggested passages to begin with:
Colossians 3:1-17 Philippians 2:1-18 1 Corinthians 13
Romans 8 Romans 12:1-21 John 15
Psalm 23 Matthew 5-7 2 Peter 1:5-10
Lectio Divina is an ancient spiritual practice from the Christian monastic tradition. Its title derives from the Latin words meaning reading and divine/holy. In Lectio Divina, we seek to experience the presence of God through reading and listening, meditation, prayer, and contemplation.
Practising Lectio Divina
1. Text
Begin by choosing a section of the Bible that you would like to read and pray. Some good passages to begin with are listed below. Try not to set a goal for how much content you will cover; the goal is to listen for God and to experience his presence.
2. Preparation
Do what you must to quiet and prepare yourself to hear from God. If you need to find a quiet room, sit in silence for several minutes, or sit in a comfortable chair, take whatever posture will help you prepare to receive and experience God’s presence.
3. Reading/Listening
When you sense that your heart is prepared, begin by slowly reading the passage of the Bible that you have selected. Move slowly through sentences and phrases. As you read, pay attention to what word, phrase, or idea catches your attention.
4. Meditation
Next, begin to meditate on the word, phrase, or idea that has captured your attention. Repeat it again and again.
Consider:
What thoughts come to mind as you meditate on this word, phrase, or idea?
What are you reminded of in your life?
What does it make you hope for?
Meditation is no easy task—as you try to concentrate don’t be disappointed if random thoughts enter your head. As they do, offer them to God.
5. Prayer
Now begin to speak to God. Tell God what word, phrase, or idea captured your attention and what came to mind as you meditated upon it. How is God using this word, phrase, or idea to bless and transform you? Tell God what you have been thinking and feeling as you’ve listened and meditated. Tell God how you hope this word, phrase, or idea will change your heart to be more like His.
6. Contemplation
Finish by focusing your attention on the fact that God’s presence is with you. If as you try to focus on God’s presence you sense a need to read the text again, to continue meditating, or to simply continue talking with God, allow yourself to do so. As you do, know that you are in the presence of God.
Suggested passages to begin with:
Colossians 3:1-17 Philippians 2:1-18 1 Corinthians 13
Romans 8 Romans 12:1-21 John 15
Psalm 23 Matthew 5-7 2 Peter 1:5-10