Several years ago, I was introduced to a spiritual practice called Lectio Divina. Lectio Divina is a traditional monastic practice of scriptural reading, meditation and prayer intended to promote communion with God and to increase the knowledge of God’s word.
In the view of one commentator, it does not treat scripture as texts to be studied, but as the living word.
The practice can applied to most any scripture text. (I say “most any” because I’m not sure it is as productive if you use with a text from Leviticus, although it might). Typically, the practice is done in groups, but I have found it extremely beneficial in private devotions.
In simple terms, you Prepare, Read, Reflect, Respond and Contemplate. I have included those steps in detail at the conclusion of this email. Please see those for more information.
I have found great solace in practicing Lectio Divina with Psalm 61:1-2. I’d like to share those verses with you now:
For God alone my soul waits in silence;
from God comes my salvation. God alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress, I shall never be shaken.
I encourage you to spend time with those two verses. Process them through the Lectio Divina process. Also, invite your family to experience Lectio Divina.
Here is the information on the process of Lectio Divina
Prepare
I’d suggest 30 minutes to read, reflect, and respond to the Holy Spirit’s promptings in Lectio Divina. To tune in, I like to light a candle, not because it’s necessary, but because the flame and fragrance serve as gentle reminders when collecting my thoughts and calming my mind. I pray a prayer of invitation, saying something like, “God, let me hear from you,” and spend a few moments sitting quietly so my mind is open to hearing from God.
Lectio (Read)
My first reading is an opportunity to get to know the Scripture passage. I listen carefully for any words or phrases that seem to jump out. It’s important not to force things, but wait patiently for God to give gentle guidance. One day when reading Jeremiah 31, I felt my mind drawn to the strength of God’s commitment to His covenant:
“[I will make a new covenant] not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband.” (Jeremiah 31:32 English Standard Version)
I was struck by the image of God leading His people by the hand as an act of love – they weren’t left to begin their momentous journey alone.
Meditatio (Reflect)
The second reading of the same passage focuses further on the points I become aware of during the first reading. Often I’ll just re-read a few verses so I can reflect carefully on where God has nudged me.
Then I’ll reflect on what I believe God is saying. I try not to analyze the passage. It’s easy to slip into “study mode” and think about interesting points rather than listening to what God might be saying. It helps to ask God to make His focus clear.
Oratio (Respond)
After a third reading, it’s time to respond. I like to record my thoughts by journaling because I know I’m very prone to forgetting what I’ve learned, even by the next day! We can respond in prayer too, which gives us the opportunity for a conversation with God.
When reading Jeremiah, I journaled my wonderings. If God is so powerfully committed to keeping His covenant with me, why do I sometimes lack the commitment to stay close to God? Often the events of the day crowd in, and I don’t always make time to listen to God. I prayed that God would help me to prioritize spending time with Him.
Contemplatio (Rest)
After the final reading, I spend around 10 minutes in silent contemplation. This isn’t a time of prayer or meditation — I just sit quietly and allow God to work. When my mind starts to wander and dart here and there, I bring it gently back to stillness again.