Scripture Meditation& Lectio Divina
Discover the ancient practice of "divine reading"—a method of prayer that involves reading and meditating on Scripture to deepen your relationship with God.
An Ancient Way of Praying with Scripture
Lectio Divina refers in Latin to the practice of "divine reading." This form of spiritual reading originated in the Benedictine tradition and involves a deeply personal and prayerful encounter with the presence of God through sacred Scripture. It's rooted in the belief that God speaks to us through His Word when we approach it with listening hearts.
Divine Reading
- Slowly read Scripture as a love letter addressed personally to you by God.
Heart Meditation
- Reflect deeply on words or phrases that resonate with your spirit.
Listening Prayer
- Rest in silence, allowing God to speak to you through His Word.
Transformative Process
- Experience Christ through Scripture in a way that changes your life.
The Four Movements of Lectio Divina
1. Reading (Lectio)
Slowly begin reading a biblical passage as if it were a long-awaited love letter addressed to you. Approach it reverently and expectantly, in a way that savors each word and phrase. Read the passage until you hear a word or phrase that touches you, resonates, attracts, or even disturbs you. Sit with a sentence, phrase, or even one word that emerges from the text, allowing the Spirit to expand your listening capacity and open you to its deeper meaning.
2. Reflecting (Meditatio)
As we repeat a phrase or sentence slowly, over and over, a deeper insight may arise. For example, take the words of Jesus, "I will not call you servants but friends." All of a sudden, it might dawn on you what it means to be a friend of Christ. Your awareness expands without your brain doing anything but allow the Spirit to act. It is a heart-to-heart exchange with Christ. Think the text but do not think about the text. If we are thinking in the sense of reflection, we are no longer dominating the conversation.
3. Expressing (Oratio)
When you feel ready, openly and honestly express to God the prayers that arise spontaneously within you from your experience of this word or phrase. These may be prayers of thanksgiving, petition, intercession, lament, or praise. Ponder this word or phrase for a few minutes. Let it sink in slowly and deeply until you are resting in it. Listen for what the word or phrase is saying to you at this moment in your life, what it may be offering to you, what it may be demanding of you.
4. Resting (Contemplatio)
Allow yourself to simply rest silently with God for a time in the stillness of your heart, remaining open to the quiet fullness of God's love and peace. This is like the silence of communion between the mother holding her sleeping infant child or between lovers whose communication with each other passes beyond words. Jesus is the Word, let him show you the deeper meaning, let him show you what he wants you to see in the text.
How to Begin Lectio Divina
Lectio invites us to listen to the word of God with our whole being and our longing to be touched, healed, and transformed by the Holy Spirit. In order to practice lectio divina, select a time and place that is peaceful and in which you may be alert and prayerfully attentive.
Prepare Your Space
Find a quiet place where you won't be interrupted. This may be your favorite chair, a prayer corner, or even outdoors in nature.
Dispose Yourself for Prayer
Begin with a spoken prayer to God to open you more fully to the Spirit, a gentle relaxation process that focuses on breathing, singing or chanting, or simply a few minutes of silence to empty yourself of thoughts, images, and emotions.
Choose Your Scripture
Select a short passage—perhaps a psalm, a gospel story, or a few verses that speak to you. Don't worry about "covering ground"—the goal is depth, not breadth.
Allow Freedom in the Process
These four movements of lectio divina may not always follow a linear progression. Allow yourself freedom and pray as you can. The aim is to move into the depths of silence and stillness where we can hear the Word spoken to us individually.
Getting Started with Scripture Meditation
- • Start with 15-20 minutes of quiet time with a short Scripture passage.
- • Choose familiar passages at first—Psalm 23, John 3:16, or the Lord's Prayer work well.
- • Read the passage 3-4 times slowly, each time listening for different words or phrases.
- • Don't analyze the text academically—let it speak to your heart personally.
- • End each session with a few minutes of silent rest in God's presence.
"This is a gentle invitation into a movement from silence into the Word and back into silence, dwelling there in the presence of God. This leads to the experience of the living Christ and increases the practical love for others that flows from that relationship."
The Purpose of Lectio Divina
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