Last week in our EQUIP class we studied ways to pray through scripture; we spent most of our time on a practice called Lectio Divina. Lectio Divina in Latin means ‘divine reading’. The intention is to use prayer as a means for the Holy Spirit to speak through the word and transform the heart.
Lectio Divina has its roots in the early Christian monastic communities and has had a resurgence of late. Like many aspects of ancient Christianity that are re-popularized, it has been distorted and practiced in many unhelpful ways. While we want to be careful, we don’t want to miss out on the benefits passed on to us by those who have gone before us.
This practice is a time tested and helpful way of praying through Scripture. For the last thousand years or so, Christians have used this prayer method as a way of engaging the Word in their prayer life. Lectio Divina has four simple steps.
Lectio – reading
Reading through a predetermined section of scripture slowly and thoughtfully. Typically reading all the way through 3 or 4 times. (HINT: don’t use a text bigger than a paragraph or two).
Meditatio – Meditating
Using one thing that stood out to you in the text, whether a phrase or a specific verse, and meditating over it. Repeat it to yourself multiple times, and memorize it if you can. Think deeply about it, asking what God might tell you about its application.
Oratio – Speaking
This is simply a time of praying all of your thoughts out about both the text and whatever else it brought to mind. This step has been described as “praying yourself empty”
Contemplatio – Contemplating
In this step of the prayer, we simply rest in God. Having listened to His word, and spoken all our thoughts to Him, this is the time to sit in silence simply enjoying your time with God. I liken it to hiking up a steep mountain with a friend; we’ve already talked all the way up, but now we simply sit and rest, enjoying the view.
A few things come to my mind when I think about Lectio.
First, this isn’t for everyone. This is just one tool in our toolbox among many. With different practices and exercises sometimes we find that something just doesn’t work for us. This is ok!
Second, we shouldn’t use this as a study tool to help us to understand Scripture. Instead, this is a devotional exercise to help us pray along with God’s Word. It obviously doesn’t replace careful study and reading of the Bible, but it can help you to slow down and listen to God’s word prayerfully.
Not sure where to start? Here are a few texts that would be good to begin with.
Isaiah 40.1-5
Romans 8.1-4
Psalm 1
Psalm 24.1-4
James 4.1-4