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How to pray Lectio Divina, an ancient Christian

Prayer form using Scripture
 
Shawn Rain Chapman

Lectio Divina (Holy Reading) is an ancient Christian way to pray the Scriptures. It
involves reading a passage of the Bible, listening to God in silence, responding back to
God in prayer, and then resting in silent prayer.

To pray Lectio Divina, you will need:

Some quiet, private time.
A comfortable place to sit.
A Bible
A note book and something to write with
An open, receptive heart
Make yourself comfortable in whatever way you can best
pay attention.
Relax.

You might begin, after the sign of the cross, with a vocal prayer to the Holy Spirit. I like
this one:

Come, Holy Spirit,

come by means
of the powerful intercession
of the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Thy well beloved spouse.”
Step 1: Lectio
Have a passage chosen ahead of time. I usually choose something from the mass
readings of the day, particularly the Gospel.

Read the passage aloud, slowly and reflectively.

As you hear the Scripture passage, listen for a word, phrase or sentence that stands
out to you. (Don’t worry, one will.)

After the third time reading the passage through, write your word or phrase into the note
book.

The Benedictine monks, who most developed this prayer form, called this note book a
“florilegium,” meaning, “book of flowers.” Writing your verse or phrase down will help
you focus as you pray, and be fruitful for later perusal, discussion with soul friends, or
for future prayer and reflection.

 
This word or passage that stands out as you hear the Word of God, is considered to be
the Holy Spirit speaking to you.

Step 2: Meditatio
You may want to set a timer for this section of the prayer. Try to make it a light, non-
jarring sound. I have an app on my kindle and my phone also with a nice Tibetan bell
sound for this purpose.

As to the time duration, ten to twenty minutes should do it. But even five is OK if that is
all the time you have.

This time will be silent, eyes closed.

• Inwardly repeat your word or phrase with expectation. As you ponder it, apply it to
your life and relationship with God. Let yourself be guided by the Holy Spirit, allowing
Him to make clear His message to you.
When your mind wanders, gently bring it back to your word or phrase, placing yourself
once more in God’s presence.
• Ask the Lord, “What are you saying to me in this word or phrase?”

Step 3 Oratio
After the timer goes off, take a moment or maybe a few moments to respond with a
prayer back to God about what He has lead you to understand or given to you during
meditatio.

You might wish to write your prayer response into the notebook and to pray it aloud.

 
Step 4 Contemplatio
This usually means to rest in God’s Heart in silence.

Again, set the timer, perhaps for 10-20 minutes as during the meditatio, close your
eyes, place yourself in the presence of God, and rest lovingly there together with him.

If it is hard for you to do this, you might choose a prayer word like the Name of Jesus,
Mary, or the word, “God,” “love” or “peace,” for your mind to hold onto like a walking
stick as it travels in quiet over the next few minutes.

When the time is up, you may wish to pray aloud the Our Father.

End with the sign of the cross.

Blessed are those who hear the word of God

– and cherish it in their hearts
(a responsory from the Liturgy of the Hours)

If you pray Lectio Divina on a regular basis it becomes second nature. When you hear
God’s word.at mass, say, you may notice you go through this process in a brief way.
You will find the Word and praying it as an outflow into daily life and activities.
This method of prayer is well developed over centuries. You will pray it in excellent
company: the Communion of Saints, Christians all over the world, and the Holy Spirit.

God’s Word is active and alive, (Hebrews 4:12) always does what God sends it to do,
and never returns to him void. So we can pray it, internalize and live it.

May our souls magnify the Lord.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly… (Colossians 3:16a)