All Saints Lutheran Church

Lectio Divina is an ancient Christian prayer practice that means “divine reading.” It involves four movements of reading and reflection.

Lectio: The short passage is read aloud slowly (in a group or alone) or quietly (alone). If one needs a question in one’s mind to direct the reading, try “What phrase or words stick out to me?” 

“Lectio,” or “reading,” is the first step in the prayer process. The early monks understood that the fruitfulness of a monk’s prayer depends upon the simplicity, reverence, and openness to the Spirit with which the “reader” approaches the Word of God. The goal of this reading is not to rush through several chapters of Scripture. The reader, rather than trying to take in large sections of Scripture, adopts a reflective stance towards a short Scripture passage, pausing on a single word or phrase that resonates with the mind and heart. 

Meditatio: The short passage is again read slowly (by another person if read in a group). For this reading, consider, “Why does the phrase or words stick out to me?”  

The second step, known as “meditatio”—Latin for “meditation”—  invites one to reflect upon what was read. Ancient monks explained this process as a deep, unhurried thinking about the Word one has read—a rumination, somewhat like the way a cow chews the cud. As the Word is read in this step, the process of ruminating gradually draws the meditator’s focus from concerns of the mind to concerns of the heart. 

Contemplatio: The short passage is again read slowly (again by a new person if done in a group). Consider, “What is God saying to me with this word or phrase? What is Yahweh calling me to do? How do I respond to this word or phrase?”

The Word moves a person more deeply with the third step, which the ancients called “contemplatio” or “contemplation.” Contemplation is characterized by an openness of the heart, by which the reader experiences God as the One who prays within, who allows the person in contemplation to know the Word wordlessly and without image. By God’s grace, contemplatio gives one a unique ability to connect one’s newly discovered insights to daily life experiences, with the inspiration that comes from the Word of God and that has the gracious capacity to refresh the heart and mind. 

Oratio: This is a time of silence. You are invited to read the passage yourself a fourth time if you see fit , to converse with God about your new understanding or to engage this new understanding in drawing, writing, etc.

The final step, “oratio,” meaning “oration” or “prayer,” invites one’s personal response to God. This response is dialogical and can be understood as “a conversation between friends,” as St. Teresa of Avila defined prayer. One takes the time to talk to God about what was read, heard, or experienced, or about the questions that have arisen in the depth of one’s being. This response can become transformative when one accepts the promptings of the Word toward an embrace of all that life now holds. One can find God in the ups and downs of life, in times of joy and pain, as well as in ordinary, everyday moments.

Adapted from, “Ever Ancient, Ever New: The Art and Practice of Lectio Divina,” http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/catechesis/catechetical-sunday/word-of-god/upload/lectio-divina.pdf