Keeping your eyes closed and body relaxed, sit in the silence with God. Fr. A short passage or even a single verse or two is sufficient. Let's step forward together and learn practical ways to live into God's possible! Share your heart with God in prayer, responding to his Word. Spend time in his presence, allowing his words and your responses to sink deeply into your heart. What might God be asking of you t… In Western Christianity (such as Roman Catholicism, Lutheranism, or Anglicanism) Lectio Divina (Latin for "Divine Reading") 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. Continue turning your word or phrase over and over in your mind. Respond in prayer to what you heard from God and how the words spoke to your heart. Lectio divina is an ancient method of praying with sacred texts; usually the sacred text comes from the Scriptures, but other texts may be used as well. Often I’ll just re-read a few verses so I can reflect carefully on where God has nudged me. what is the text saying? I prayed that God would help me to prioritize spending time with Him. 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. Take the Scriptures reverently and call upon the Holy Spirit. When my mind starts to wander and dart here and there, I bring it gently back to stillness again. Reflect and meditate on the words you heard in the Scripture passage, attentive to what speaks to your heart. […] In your Bible time, take a small piece of scripture, even a single verse and linger over the words. Learning Lectio Divina. Ignite your prayer life with these 20+ ways to pray. As a thank you, I'll send you these FREE Pray Deep Prayer Cards. The method of group lectio divina described here was introduced at St. Andrew’s Abbey by oblates Doug and Norvene Vest: it is used as part of the Benedictine Spirituality for Laity workshops conducted at the Abbey each summer. As a beginner, I’ve found it helpful to follow the stages in order. The term “lectio divina” is derived from patristic tradition and literally translated means divine reading, with a double intention: Its pronunciation varies, some practitioners saying lek-tee-oh , following the rules of traditional Latin, with others saying lek- tsee -oh , following the rules of Ecclesiastical Latin (the official language once used by the Church). 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! It’s a way to engage God in a conversation and listen for His words to you. what jumps out to me personally? amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "findi02e-20"; Like learning an instrument, once I’ve learned the basics, I’ll be able to improvise! This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Join 16,000+ others in the Prayer & Possibilities community for weekly prayer and spiritual encouragement. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The principles of lectio divina were expressed around the year 220 and later practiced by Catholic monks, especially the monastic rules of Sts. As a beginner, I’ve found it helpful to follow the stages in order. Over the last century, Lectio Divina has become more widely practiced within the Catholic church, as well as with Protestants. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; Now, one of my favorite phenomena of studying God’s word is experiencing how the Bible is a living text and God can speak through its words to the core of my heart. This way of prayer incarnates the Living Word into our hearts and we become more like Jesus. The basic idea is to spend time listening deeply and intently to what God might have to say to you through the text—almost as if the sacred text were a much-cherished love letter from God. That all changed when I read Trappist Monk Fr. In this first step, we’re “taking a bite” of the scripture (lectio) by reading a passage of Scripture. It’s a way of developing a closer relationship with God by reflecting prayerfully on His words. Join the 'Prayer and Possibilities' weekly newsletter to deepen your prayer life and find renewed hope through God. It started coming into practice at about the same time as monasticism (before 500 ad. Lectio Divina (translated “divine [or sacred] reading”) is an approach to the Scriptures that sets us up to listen for the word of God spoken to us in this present moment.Lectio divina refers to the ancient practice of divine reading that dates back to the early mothers and fathers of the Christian faith. Open your heart to God’s presence and allow His words to permeate your soul. The ancient practice of Lectio Divina helps people to hear God’s voice through Scripture, pray about personal issues they’re struggling with, bond with others in a group, and grow in their intimacy with the Lord. If God is so powerfully committed to keeping His covenant with me, why do I sometimes lack the commitment to stay close to God? Pause to listen for any words or phrases that caught your attention. Finally, “digest” what God’s spoken to you, embedding it deeply into your heart. Free printable prayer cards as my gift to you when you join our 'Prayers + Possibilities' newsletter for weekly prayer and spiritual encouragement. and learned about the prayer practice of Lectio Divina. ) Discuss with God what you’ve heard and how your heart feels led to respond. MEDITATE ON ITS MEANING FOR YOU. what do I say to the Lord? In the 12th century, a Carthusian monk called Guigo, described the stages which he saw as essential to the practice of Lectio Divina. To ponder his Word in an atmosphere of faith-filled prayer – this is what monastic tradition calls lectio divina, holy reading. Lectio Divina, or “divine reading” is a traditional way of listening and talking with God through Scripture. When reading Jeremiah, I journaled my wonderings. The second reading of the same passage focuses further on the points I become aware of during the first reading. It helps us hear specifically and individually from God through Scripture, guided by the Holy Spirit, and deepens our relationship with Him. We therefore practice it every day, so that we may develop a deep and genuine love for it, and so that we may grow in the surpassing knowledge of Christ. Then I’ll reflect on what I believe God is saying. Sign up for weekly updates from Busted Halo! 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). Pray Deep: Ignite Your Prayer Life - Finding Hope, 10 Ways to Find Stillness {even if you don't like silence} - Finding Hope. The Christian form of Lectio Divina was first introduced by St. Gregory of Nyssa (c 330- 395), and also encouraged by. Lectio Divina, Latin for “Divine Reading,” is a contemplative prayer practice focused on the reading and meditation of Scripture. amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true"; There can be no true Christian life without lectio divina. About Lectio Divina @ Contemplative Outreach, Lectio Divina Resources @ BibleGateway.com. I’ve read stacks of books about God and the Christian life, but I only occasionally felt closer to Him. Haggadah means “telling” and along with being a physical text, the word captures the practice of telling and retelling a story. The Pray As You Go app has a beautiful collection of prayers available, including several guided Lectio Divina prayers. describes the four stages of Lectio Divina as compass points around a circle, with the Holy Spirit moving seamlessly between them. Lectio — The Latin for Reading, refers to reading prayerfully, slowly, over and over, diligently, deliberately, resting on each word, relishing each word verbally, silently, in solitude, and forgetting about time and other preoccupations of life. You may want to journal your experience so you can see how God is moving in your life. Ask God to come into this time and speak to you through his Word. One should choose a place free of distraction and a posture that is comfortable but conducive to prayer. A VERY ANCIENT art, practiced at one time by all Christians, is the technique known as lectio divina - a slow, contemplative praying of the Scriptures which enables the Bible, the Word of God, to become a means of union with God. Although there is no elaborate method, a simple approach to lectio might be described as follows: 1. The way to lead a Lectio Divina Group is as an assistant to the Lord Jesus, seeking to draw everyone’s attention to him and what he’s saying and doing. It draws on the way Jews read the. He may at times do this exercise in a … Lectio Divina. Lectio Divina has become one of my favorite forms of prayer. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; Here’s how to get started: I’d suggest 30 minutes to read, reflect, and respond to the Holy Spirit’s promptings in Lectio Divina. I was taken aback the first time this happened, couldn’t understand how these words seemed to speak so profoundly and personally to me. My first reading is an opportunity to get to know the Scripture passage. 7 Saints to Help You Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions, Before Making a Resolution, Make a Confession. Sit in the silence and allow God the space to speak to you as you turn the words over in your mind. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Enter your info below so I know to send it. Lectio Divina, “divine reading,”  is a way to connect with God’s word through prayer. It’s easy to slip into “study mode” and think about interesting points rather than listening to what God might be saying. It’s important not to force things, but wait patiently for God to give gentle guidance. Let the words resound in your heart. Haggadah means “telling” and along with being a physical text, the word captures the practice of telling and retelling a story. It’s an intensely personal experience. After a third reading, it’s time to respond. What hope or encouragement do these words bring to you? In sum, lectio divina may be said to be a kind of divine picking or choosing of a given sentence, phrase or word through which God himself speaks. As you get started, find a comfortable and quiet place to sit. Already on our list? Sometimes He speaks something related to the scripture and sometimes the scripture is a spark for something else He wants me to hear. In this way, God speaks directly to our most personal concerns. This isn’t a time of prayer or meditation — I just sit quietly and allow God to work. Have you ever had a Bible verse jump off the page at you? 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. LECTIO DIVINA. Lectio Divina is more valuable from a spiritual point of view than the exegesis of the text because exegesis can become a science like any other. Remember, though, this isn’t a study exercise, so you don’t need a whole chapter or lengthy passage. Elizabeth Manneh is a freelance writer, sharing her time between the UK and The Gambia, West Africa. Ignite your prayer life by exploring over 20 different ways to pray. Follow the guided prayer below and experience Lectio Divina for yourself. Lectio Divina (literally divine reading) is a way of becoming immersed in the Scriptures very personally. You study the root meanings of the words. Similarly, the word of God in the Bible is addressed to us in our concrete daily lives. also has some helpful examples of journaling. It is divine because we are allowing the Holy Spirit to transform our hearts while praying the Scriptures and listening to what He is saying now, today. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. ** No spam ever - only faith-filled encouragement. It is a way of praying the scriptures that leads us deeper into God’s word. – A Cleansing Prayer for the Soul ». Sit in the silence and just “be” with God for a few minutes. « Use The 5 Finger Prayer to Visually Recall Your Prayer List, P.A.S.T. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Lectio Divina is a meditative prayer, allowing God to speak through his living Word. Answer: Lectio Divina is Latin for "divine reading," "spiritual reading," or "holy reading" and represents a method of prayer and scriptural reading intended to promote communion with God and provide special spiritual insights. is a way of becoming immersed in the Scriptures very personally. The Holy Spirit prompts thoughts about what you read, and helps you talk to God about these thoughts. Like learning an instrument, once I’ve learned the basics, I’ll be able to improvise! Open your time of prayer by calling upon the Holy Spirit to guide your reading. "Lectio Divina", a Latin term, means "divine reading" and describes a way of reading the Scriptures whereby we gradually let go of our own agenda and open ourselves to what God wants to say to us. There are many sources of inspiration to help develop the practice of Lectio Divina. Sit still and listen for His […], Hi, I'm Kathryn! allow His Spirit to wash over you. When we practice Lectio Divina, we can imagine we’re actually involved in the events of Scripture — for example, hearing God’s words to the Israelites in the desert. I'm just an ordinary girl following an extraordinary God, learning to seek God's possible in this world of impossible. Ponder what these words mean for your life. • Listen with the ear of the heart. amzn_assoc_asins = "0996731806,0996731865,0996731830,0996731814"; This post is part of the “Pray Deep” series. Second, I want to show the great possibility of using this method of Lectio Divina as a formative element in the life of every Christian. Ignite your prayer life by exploring over 20 different ways to pray. Begin to repeat that word or phrase over and over slowly, soaking your heart in the words. These cookies do not store any personal information. The Christian form of Lectio Divina was first introduced by St. Gregory of Nyssa (c 330- 395), and also encouraged by St. Benedict of Nursia (c 480-547), the founder of the Benedictine order. Here’s how to get started: There are many sources of inspiration to help develop the practice of Lectio Divina. I love the intimacy of choosing a small verse of scripture and diving deep into it. It is an ancient way practiced by Christians of all streams and denominations. Lectio Divina was used throughout the ages as a very fruitful way of reading and praying the bible without exposing yourself to your own harmful incorrect ways of interpreting and thinking. Thomas Keating’s “Open Mind, Open Heart” and learned about the prayer practice of Lectio Divina. John of the Cross explaining the four steps of Lectio Divina. I’ve always wanted to be a “good” Christian. Record the verse you used and what you heard God speak to your heart. Na cestě Lectio divina jde především o to, abychom se učili využívat "síly Evangelia" (Gaudium et spes č. The regular practice of Lectio Divina dates back to the 6th century during the time of St. Benedict. Turn just those words over and over in your mind. has a collection of downloadable guides, and. Here is a slightly more formal method for practicing lectio divina. Notice if any phrase, sentence or word stands out and gently begin to repeat it to yourself, allowing it to touch you deeply. You can also find many other examples and guides online. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; This form of lectio divina works best in a group of between four and eight people. 48 Hours with the Word in Oxford. Meditazione Pasquale 2008 Un tale Simone di Cirene - Mc 15,2 Offer up a prayer of praise, thanksgiving, or petition, depending on how you’re moved. 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. Lectio divina is a contemplative practice with its Christian roots in the Benedictine tradition.It combines slow, conscious reading of a biblical or sacred text with contemplation and silent prayer. I will describe possible ways of using 3. You can use any scripture for Lectio Divina. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. It is meant to promote communication with God and a deeper knowledge of Christ, in our lives today. It’s an intensely personal experience. Nejde jen o to, abychom nacházeli odpovědi na otázky, které máme, abychom se mohli dobře rozhodovat. Ordinarily this practice is confined to the slow perusal of sacred Scripture, both the Old and New Testaments. “Seek in reading and you will find in meditation; knock in prayer and it will be opened to you in contemplation.” ~St. No matter the medium, lectio divina (literally, “divine reading”) involves sacred encounter and guidance. A monk spends almost an hour each day in this holy exercise. Next, spend some time “chewing” on the words or phrases God placed in your heart. Meditazione Pasquale 2004 Morte per la vita (dott.ssa Spinoglio) Meditazione Pasquale 2004 Lc 23,32-49. Lectio Divina is a meditative prayer, allowing God to speak through his living Word. Sign up today for weekly prayers and spiritual encouragement! • Reflect while you read the passage a second time with deep receptivity. CONTEMPLATE ON THE PRESENCE OF GOD . Notice what thoughts, feelings, and reflections arise within you. In my post, Bible Journaling in the New Year I found this definition of lectio divina to share, “ Lectio Divina is simply the classical monastic practice of the prayerful reading of the Bible…” It does not treat Scripture as texts to be studied, but as the Living Word.”” (Opening to God: Lectio Divina and Life as Prayer) It’s a prayer method with deep roots and a powerful connection to God. Listen for what God wants to speak into your heart through these words. Soaking in each word and then listening for what God wants me to hear. Some methods of Lectio Divina recommend reading the verses at least four times. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Lectio Divina is a contemplative way of reading the Bible. Now, read John 10:24-30 again, slowly. {These are affiliate links – and my own books – so any purchases help grow and sustain this blog.} Listen for how God is speaking to you through that scripture, turning the words over and over in your mind. 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. , a text read during Passover that retells the Exodus story. Get comfortable and clear your mind for prayer. Are you ready to give Lectio Divina a try? With yo… WHAT ARE THE … In years past…, An approaching new year is everyone’s favorite time to make resolutions. Per informazioni e iscrizioni: Villa San Giuseppe Via di San Luca 24, 40135 Bologna Tel: 051.6142341 E-mail: vsg.bologna@gesuiti.it 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. She's on a lifelong exploration to find ways of bringing God into all aspects of her everyday life. We’re filled with hope, anticipation, and a little bit of “next year will…. As you’re reading, a phrase or words just seem to speak to your heart, unlike any others on the page? You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Read the verse slowly, several times, listening with the “ear of the heart.”. Soul Shepherding has a collection of downloadable guides, and LectioDivina.org also has some helpful examples of journaling. These prayer cards explain how to pray through a variety of methods, sure to inspire and deepen your prayer experience. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Lectio Divina means Divine Reading. This form of prayer is different from reading the Bible for study or analysis. In it Stephen uses the actual prayers of Sacred Scripture to help us enter a deeper relationship with God through our own prayer. Choose a passage of scripture. It has been described as a way to “feast on God’s Word”, so we’ll use that analogy as we walk through the four steps of this prayer. She's written for many publications, including Huffington Post, ReadersDigest.com, and The Good Men Project. It’s a way of developing a closer relationship with God by reflecting prayerfully on His words. We can respond in prayer too, which gives us the opportunity for a conversation with God. I confess: I’ve never been particularly successful at keeping New Year’s resolutions because I’m more successful at finding excuses to ignore them. The lectio process is designed to help you as the leader to get out of the way and to direct everyone’s attention to the word and Spirit of Christ, as they are manifested in the content of the Bible text andin the process of meditating and praying on it. Typically, Lectio is done with no more than a sentence until all the steps have been exhausted. Lectio Divina “Lectio Divina” [“divine, or sacred, reading”] is the name given to a spiritual tradition among Christians over the last two thousand years, in which they attentively and prayerfully read the word of God. It helps us hear specifically and individually from God through Scripture, guided by the Holy Spirit, and deepens our relationship with Him. Together with the Liturgy and daily manual labor, time set aside in a special way for lectio divina enables us to discover in our daily lif… (c 480-547), the founder of the Benedictine order. The Lectio Divina prayer method was founded by Saint Benedict and Pope Gregory in the 6th century, although its roots date back to the Christian scholar Origen in the 3rd century. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; READ THE SCRIPTURE. Listen and be open to how God wants to use his Word to speak into your heart. The Holy Spirit inspired the writing of our sacred Scriptures and he inspires proper reading/listening to it. It helps to ask God to make His focus clear. Lectio Divina is a process of reading, reflecting, responding, and resting in a piece of scripture. Read More…. There are lots of ways to read the Bible, this is one way that we like to stop and reflect on scripture. amzn_assoc_linkid = "dab239076128f883cf2da5d237bf74bd"; This ancient practice has been kept alive in the Christian monastic tradition, and is one of the precious treasures of Benedictine monastics and oblates. Is there a word or phrase that begins to stand out to you? Rather the passage is read as the living Word of God, through which he can speak into your heart. In Lectio Divina, the chosen spiritual text is read four times in total, giving an opportunity to think deeply about it and respond thoughtfully. “Learning to Pray with Scripture” is another volume in the excellent “Lectio Divina” series brought to us by Our Sunday Visitor. Read the passage four times, leaving a few minutes of silence in between each reading. The Catholic Chaplaincy at the University of Oxford is offering a 48-hour retreat that combines reflection on Scripture with the Jubilee Year of Mercy – and Nightfever. When Jesus came to the other side, to the country of the … PRAY, BASED ON YOUR MEDITATION. Fueled by loads of coffee, I'm passionate about helping and encouraging you along this journey, too! Keating describes the four stages of Lectio Divina as compass points around a circle, with the Holy Spirit moving seamlessly between them. Begin to quiet your mind and body, setting aside all the thoughts and to-do lists running through your mind. For more information on the series, click HERE. Before You Go - Don't Miss these Prayer Cards! 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. Join our 'Prayers and Possibilities' newsletter for weekly encouragement and I'll send you the "Pray Deep Prayer Cards" as a FREE gift. Often the events of the day crowd in, and I don’t always make time to listen to God. "Lectio divina is an authentic source of Christian spirituality recommended by our Rule. “Seek in reading and you will find in meditation; knock in prayer and it will be opened to you in contemplation.” ~St. I’d suggest 30 minutes to read, reflect, and respond to the Holy Spirit’s promptings in Lectio Divina. The process contains four stages - Read, Reflect, Respond, and Rest. Write down how those words apply to your life and how is God calling you to action in response. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. When we practice Lectio Divina, we can imagine we’re actually involved in the events of Scripture — for example, hearing God’s words to the Israelites in the desert. It has been a core part of monastic life for centuries but has been growing in use outside the monastery too. Lectio divina is an exercise in listening to the Word, which captures the mystery of the incarnate Word, therefore penetrating the very mystery of God. What next step do you feel God asking you to take? It dates back to the early centuries of the Christian Church and was established as a monastic practice by Benedict in the 6th century. I'm glad you're here to journey with me! Lectio Divina and describing the theology which stands behind it. I try not to analyze the passage. I listen carefully for any words or phrases that seem to jump out. Think about the word or phrase that seemed to catch in your heart as you read through this passage. Lectio Divina, or Divine Reading, is a traditional monastic practice for experiencing scripture as a "Living Word" to connect with and deepen our relationship with the Divine. Practicing Lectio Divina. Na cestě Lectio divina nejde jen o objevování nových biblických souvislostí a pravd, které nás mají povzbudit a utvrdit ve víře. Lectio divina is a perfect spiritual practice for the pilgrim. After the final reading, I spend around 10 minutes in silent contemplation. Rest in God and contemplate his words for your life. Matthew 8:28 - 34, The Gadarene swine. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. While you can experience Lectio Divina prayer on your own with any scripture, it can be helpful to use a guide as you get started. 2. After you’ve reflected on these words and God’s whispers to your heart, respond to him in prayer. It draws on the way Jews read the Haggadah, a text read during Passover that retells the Exodus story. 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 … amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon";