Lectio Divina (Divine Reading)

Lectio Divina (divine reading)

Scriptural reading intended to promote communion with God and to increase in the knowledge of God‘s Word

Preparation

Pick a time in the regular time in the day (morning, evening or both) and a place free from distractions. Prior to reading, it is important to engage in a transitional activity that takes one from the normal state of mind to a more contemplative and prayerful state. Take a few deep, regular breathing and a short prayer inviting the Holy Spirit to guide the prayer time helps to set the tone and improve the effectiveness of the Lectio.
Once the stage is set it is time to begin the prayer. There are four phases of the prayer, which do not necessarily progress in an ordered fashion. One may move between different phases of the prayer very freely as the Holy Spirit guides.

Lectio (Reading)

This first moment consists in reading the scriptural passage slowly, attentively several times. Many write down words in the scripture that stick out to them or grasp their attention during this moment.  Start anywhere in the Bible.

Meditatio (Meditate)

The Christian, focusing on the passage as a whole or one of its words, takes it and meditate about it, thinking in God’s presence about the text. He or she benefits from the Holy Spirit’s ministry of illumination, i.e. the work of the Holy Spirit that imparts spiritual understanding of the sacred text. It is not a special revelation from God, but the inward working of the Holy Spirit, which enables the Christian to grasp the revelation contained in the Scripture.

Oratio (Prayer)

This is prayer: In this prayer we allow the word that we have taken in and on which we are pondering to touch and change our deepest selves. …God invites us in lectio divina to hold up our most difficult and pain-filled experiences to Him, and to gently recite over them the healing word or phrase He has given us in our lectio and meditatio. In this oratio, we allow our real selves to be touched and changed by the word of God.

Contemplatio (Contemplate)

This moment is characterized by a simple, loving focus on God. In other words, it is a beautiful, wordless contemplation of God, a joyful rest in His presence.