Reading & praying
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.
There
are many sources of inspiration to help develop the practice of Lectio Divina. Soul Shepherding has
a collection of downloadable guides. It’s important to remember that Lectio
Divina is not an end in itself or another spiritual practice to tick off our
to-do list. It helps us hear specifically and individually from God through
Scripture, guided by the Holy Spirit, and deepens our relationship with Him.
Originally
published January 18, 2017
Not
mine, Copied & pasted, but I like it !!
RevDan
