Praying the Scriptures: Lectio Divina
Ancient Christians believed that Scripture was sacramental. Through human words, the divine Word speaks. Thus, they developed ways of reading the Scriptures focused on hearing that divine Word. One of the practices they developed was called Lectio Divina (Latin for “Divine Reading”). Lectio Divina is not the study of Scripture. Rather it is a way of prayerfully entering into what is revealed in the Scriptures. The aim is to encounter God in the text and hear what He has to say.
Lectio Divina has four basic movements: lectio (reading), meditatio (meditation), oratio (prayer), and contemplatio (contemplation). Often, through this process the Holy Spirit will use the text to speak to the hearer. For myself, I have been struck at how the practice almost always leads me into a state of deep peace and sense of connection with God. I become aware of His nearness, His attentiveness, and His word to me.
Lectio Divina can be practice individually or in a group. Here is a brief set of instructions through the four phases of the practice.
Lectio. Find a place where you will be undisturbed. Select a passage of Scripture, usually a Psalm or short episode from a Gospel. I find it helpful to listen to the passage using a Bible app. The writers of Scripture expected most people to hear it read. I am less likely to analyze a passage when I hear another voice reading it. Listen to the passage one or two times giving your full attention to the reading.
Meditatio. Listen to the passage again. This time, listen for a word or phrase that seems to stand out to you. Take time to that word or phrase. What does it mean? What is its significance? Why is that word so important? How is Jesus revealed?
Oratio. Listen to the passage again. Watch for images or emotions that arise in response to what you hear. What do those emotions or images mean? This may well be the Holy Spirit speaking to you. What is He saying? Take time to talk to the Lord about what you are experiencing.
Contemplatio. This is the phase of rest. You have listened and heard from the Lord. You may very well have something you know you need to do. However, before moving on, take time to simply be with the Lord. This is contemplation as the mystics understood it: to simply be aware of the nearness of the Lord and be at rest in His presence. When you sense that the time has closed, whisper a closing prayer of thanks.
Lectio Divina can be a powerful form of prayer that allows the Bible to be the conduit of God’s presence and word to us. It is not the same as Bible study and should not replace Bible study. Practiced along with regular study, it can be a source of nourishment to the soul allowing the “word of Christ to dwell in in you richly” (Colossians 3:16).