Lectio Divina, or Divine Reading, is a way of reading Scripture prayerfully, meditatively, and reflectively. It differs from other approaches to Scripture in that you are typically reading a very small section, usually not more than a verse or two, and the point is not to analyze the text, like with Bible study, or to find an application for your life, like with devotional reading, but rather to commune with God through the words of Scripture.
To get the most out of Lectio Divina, you need to be able to devote some time to the practice. Lectio Divina consists of four movements or phases. As you are getting started with the practice, you may want to start by devoting three minutes to each movement or phase. As you become more comfortable with the practice, you will probably want to increase that time. Set a timer for each phase so that you are not distracted by watching the clock and can focus on communing with God.
The first phase of Lectio Divina is reading. Read the passage that you have selected repeatedly, slowly, and reflectively. Let the words of the passage wash over you and soak in them. Remember, the point is not to analyze them, but to let them dwell in you richly. As you read the passage, look for God to bring a particular word, phrase, or image to your mind. Don’t rush through this process and just jump at the first thing that stands out to you. Rather, wait patiently for God to draw you to what he wants to speak with you about. When the timer goes off, move on to the second phase of Lectio Divina.
The second phase of Lectio Divina is reflecting. During this time, we turn our attention to the word or phrase that God brought to your attention during the reading time. Roll the word or phrase around in your mind and consider it. How does it make you feel? Why do you think God brought it to your attention? What do you think he is trying to communicate to you through that word or phrase? Again, don’t rush through this process. Take your time and let God speak to your heart.
The third phase of Lectio Divina is responding. During this time we respond to what God has spoken to our hearts during the time of reflecting. It may be a time of confession, praise, thanksgiving, or committment. We take our time and respond in whatever way is appropriate to what God has revealed to us. Once again, don’t rush. Take your time. You are not in a hurry to get through the process. You have already set aside time to spend with God. Take full advantage of it.
The final phase of Lectio Divina is resting. During this time, we quiet our hearts and minds and simply rest in the love of God. This can be challenging for us to get used to because we live in a face-paced world full of distractions and demands. This time of resting offers us a respite, a sanctuary, from the demands of the world around us. Rest quietly in the presence and love of God until the time is up, then slowly bring yourself back to the present.
Learning to practice Lectio Divina, like learning any spiritual practice, can take time. Be patient with yourself as you are learning to commune with God. Don’t get frustrated with yourself if you get easily distracted, simply bring your mind back to what you are doing. Finally, don’t give up if you don’t feel like you had an amazing time with God. Like with all spiritual practices, there will be times when we feel we have really gained something out of it and there will be times when it feels dry. Don’t judge the quality of your time with God by the way you feel afterwards. Sometimes when our time with God seems least fulfilling, God is working deep within our hearts in ways that we do not yet recognize.
David Dalton
To get the most out of Lectio Divina, you need to be able to devote some time to the practice. Lectio Divina consists of four movements or phases. As you are getting started with the practice, you may want to start by devoting three minutes to each movement or phase. As you become more comfortable with the practice, you will probably want to increase that time. Set a timer for each phase so that you are not distracted by watching the clock and can focus on communing with God.
The first phase of Lectio Divina is reading. Read the passage that you have selected repeatedly, slowly, and reflectively. Let the words of the passage wash over you and soak in them. Remember, the point is not to analyze them, but to let them dwell in you richly. As you read the passage, look for God to bring a particular word, phrase, or image to your mind. Don’t rush through this process and just jump at the first thing that stands out to you. Rather, wait patiently for God to draw you to what he wants to speak with you about. When the timer goes off, move on to the second phase of Lectio Divina.
The second phase of Lectio Divina is reflecting. During this time, we turn our attention to the word or phrase that God brought to your attention during the reading time. Roll the word or phrase around in your mind and consider it. How does it make you feel? Why do you think God brought it to your attention? What do you think he is trying to communicate to you through that word or phrase? Again, don’t rush through this process. Take your time and let God speak to your heart.
The third phase of Lectio Divina is responding. During this time we respond to what God has spoken to our hearts during the time of reflecting. It may be a time of confession, praise, thanksgiving, or committment. We take our time and respond in whatever way is appropriate to what God has revealed to us. Once again, don’t rush. Take your time. You are not in a hurry to get through the process. You have already set aside time to spend with God. Take full advantage of it.
The final phase of Lectio Divina is resting. During this time, we quiet our hearts and minds and simply rest in the love of God. This can be challenging for us to get used to because we live in a face-paced world full of distractions and demands. This time of resting offers us a respite, a sanctuary, from the demands of the world around us. Rest quietly in the presence and love of God until the time is up, then slowly bring yourself back to the present.
Learning to practice Lectio Divina, like learning any spiritual practice, can take time. Be patient with yourself as you are learning to commune with God. Don’t get frustrated with yourself if you get easily distracted, simply bring your mind back to what you are doing. Finally, don’t give up if you don’t feel like you had an amazing time with God. Like with all spiritual practices, there will be times when we feel we have really gained something out of it and there will be times when it feels dry. Don’t judge the quality of your time with God by the way you feel afterwards. Sometimes when our time with God seems least fulfilling, God is working deep within our hearts in ways that we do not yet recognize.
David Dalton