Praying the Lectio Divina

21 Feb 2024

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Lectio Divina means "Divine Reading" and it is a deeply cherished way of praying with scripture. In this article, we will break down the prayer stage-by-stage to assist your practise.

1. Prepare to spend time with God. Be ready to step out of the busyness of your life for prayer and contemplation; this is a prayer that requires quality time. Find a quiet space and take some deep breaths. Ask the Lord to be present in your reading and invite Him to speak with you when the time is right.

2. Read an extract of The Bible. This could be one of the readings of the day. You can find out what the day’s readings are online, via an app such as Hallow or Universalis, from a Missal, or a book such as God’s Word which is the book we use at the Catholic Enquiry Centre. During this time, read slowly and carefully, and be mindful of any phrases that may feel particularly interesting or draw your attention. Pause and think about the words.
3. Reflect upon the passage by reading it again, but with prayerful intent. Read it slowly and think about what the passage means not only in a broad sense, but for you personally. How are you being guided in this reading? What is God saying to you? Spend some time thinking about the words, and the images held within them.
4. Respond to what you have read, talk to God in prayer about the reading and what has struck you as significant. You can speak out loud, in your head, or write in a prayer journal.
5. Rest by spending time in silent contemplation, giving God some space in your mind and heart. If your mind wonders, simply bring it back to prayer. Open yourself to the presence of God and what He may be communicating to you through scripture.

It is important to thank God, and end your prayer by acknowledging the time He has spent with you. As you re-enter the world, try to put into practice what you have learnt.

The Lectio Divina can also be used in a group. This is how we do it at The Catholic Enquiry Centre:

1. We gather and invite the Lord to be with us. Someone remembers to light a candle which represents the Spirit and presence of God.
2. One of us reads aloud the Gospel reading of the day, then allows a pause for individual prayer and reflection.
3. A different person rereads the same reading, nice and slowly so that the group can think about what they are saying.
4. We each then offer to the group what the reading has made us think about. This can often lead to a vibrant conversation about the scripture and what God is trying to say.
5. We finish by allowing some space for God, and then we each offer our intentions for prayer, much like the Prayers of the Faithful at Mass. It is a wonderful way to begin our working day.

A variation of this for a large group is to turn to the person next to you and reflect on the meanings found in the scripture, before enjoying a time of rest and quiet contemplation. 

However or wherever you choose to experience Lectio Divina, there is no doubt that it is a powerful prayer and a great way to encounter God more deeply this Lent. 

Source: More about Prayer