The Ancient Practice of Lectio Divina

Lectio Divina (Latin for “divine reading”) is an ancient Benedictine practice of immersing yourself in the Scripture as a means of connecting with God. Traditionally, Lectio Divina entails four steps: 1) read; 2) meditate; 3) pray; and 4) contemplate. That being said, there are countless variations to this approach, so don’t get hung up on terminology or details.

If you’re new to this practice, choose a Scripture passage where Jesus is teaching or interacting. It’s easier to focus on. For example, you might choose the story of the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4: 1-26); or you might focus on the story of Mary and Martha (Luke 10: 38-41). You can choose any Scripture, but don’t focus on a large section. A few verses will suffice.

To begin, take a minute or two to calm your mind and heart. Take a few deep breaths and ask God to remove any distractions so you can focus on Him. Invite the Holy Spirit to guide you as you read, listen and respond.

1. Read. Slowly read through your Scripture. If you can, read it aloud to yourself. Listen for any words or phrases that seem to jump off the page. Don’t force anything. Wait for the Spirit to nudge you to pay attention to something specific, something in bold print in your mind. When you feel led, move on to the second step.
2. Meditate. Read the same passage again, listening for any new words or phrases the Spirit may highlight. You may or may not focus on the same verses or phrases. Reflect on what God might be saying to you. Be careful not to slip into “study mode” and get distracted by interesting facts or tidbits. Focus on what God is saying to you through the verse or word or concept. Don’t rush. Lectio Divina is about slowing down and enjoying God’s presence, not hurrying through the steps so you can go on with your day.
3. Pray. This is your opportunity to talk with God. You may want to ask Him for help, express frustration, or voice a need. Think of it as a conversation with a trusted friend. Nothing surprises Him and nothing will change His love for you.
4. Contemplate. For five minutes, sit quietly with God. This scripted time gives the Holy Spirit the space to work within you. If your mind wanders (and it will), bring it back to stillness again. Contemplation teaches us that prayer is not so much about doing, it’s about being with God and surrendering to the work He is doing .

Many people find it helpful to journal afterward, so if that’s a practice you enjoy, make sure you leave time at the end to do that. You may just want to write down a sentence or two about your experience.

Over time, you will develop your own rhythm and pace for Lectio Divina. This ancient practice may become for you a treasured time of sitting with God.