Lectio Divina

The art of listening for the Sacred Voice of God

through reading and contemplating on the Holy Bible.

The words “Lectio Divinia” simply mean “holy reading.” They signify an impulse by the
early Christians to treat the Bible differently than the academic and philosophical books
of the Hellenistic culture in which early Christianity took root. The modern practice of
Lectio Divina shared below stems from the works of Benedict of Nursia who was an
early monk and mystic seeking to pull the Church away from secularism. (Benedictine’s
ministry occurred during the early 500s.)

The process below is most closely associated with Roman Catholicism, however, it
should be noted that the many Catholics who have nurtured this tradition share much in
common with the Protestant movement- including emphasis on a personal walk with
Jesus, and the centrality of the Bible in Christian life. In that sense, Lectio Divinia
represents an attempt at reform within Catholicism. For that reason, many Anglicans and
Lutherans have kept the practice alive even after they split with Rome. Many of our
modern Protestant notions of “quiet time” devotionals are echoes of Lectio Divina and
other practices which many dismiss as being “too Catholic.”

This exercise can be done alone or in a group setting. In group settings, a conversation
may follow so that people can share their experiences with God. If you choose to do this
exercise alone, consider journaling your thoughts so that you can keep track of how God
is moving inside you.

Lectio Divina is a form of study and a form of prayer. It is also an intense form of private
or small-group worship. If possible, you may want to set up the room in which you will
be practicing this exercise to allow you to be open to worship.

In the Bible, there are elements common to worship including music, lamps or candles,
and incense. Consider using background music (I prefer Taize or Eden’s Bridge) to help
drown out ambient noises if absolute silence doesn’t work for you. Also, light a candle as
a reminder that the Holy Spirit is within you and seeks to teach you the deep things of
God. Artwork, mirrors, and pillows for kneeling may all help you prepare for the
experience. Of course, God does not need ambience to do His work, so none of these
things are necessary to Lectio Divina. If some of the things I’ve suggested would only
distract you or if you prefer the simplicity of reading and praying in what ever
environment you find yourself in, by all means, ignore these suggestions about sacred
space.

In essence, Lectio Divina has four basic steps:

I. Lectio - reading/listening
Once you have selected a passage, read through it as slow as you possibly can.
Intentionally make yourself resist the Western impulse to absorb information. You aren’t
trying to inhale facts, you are trying to hear the still, small voice of God speak through
the words on the page.

II. Meditatio - meditation

Now, find the word or phrase or concept in the reading that is tugging at you. Perhaps it
will be your heart, or your conscience, or you sense of intellectual curiosity. God will
speak to you through different emotions or thoughts depending on what He wishes to say
to you today. You want to pause and mediate or ruminate on it. It is OK to repeat –
silently or out loud- a word or phrase if it helps you think. (Remember, though, the Bible
isn’t a spell book. Jesus warned us not to pray repetitively like pagans so that God would
reward us for speaking the magic words. If you use repetition, do so only to focus your
mind on the things of God.) You can also use this time of meditation as an opportunity to
memorize a meaningful word or phrase or verse. The idea here is to let the Word of God
sink deeply in your heart.
III. Oratio - prayer
As your time of meditation winds down, begin to speak to God. Use the words and
phrases of the passage to compose your prayer. Let the language of the Scripture give
your prayers a vocabulary. Open your heart to God, letting the Bible pierce your heart
like a sword and laying bear all your fears and weaknesses before God. The passage and
meditation may lead you to seek forgiveness, or wisdom, or perhaps God will lay a vision
of ministry and service on your heart. Be open to God and trust that He will hear your
prayer. Hold nothing back.

IV. Contemplatatio - contemplation

This is the hard part for us Americans. Sit and listen. Be silent before God. Let the Holy
Spirit move in response to Your prayer. Learn to feel the presence of God all around you.
Remain in silence as long as your can bear.