Take about an hour to “practice” this prayer exercise. Have a pen and paper with you to jot down your impressions of the exercise. I want you to experiment with the Lectio Divina approach discussed Prayer with Scripture and by Campolo. Select a passage of Scripture (you choose) but keep it to 5 verses or under. Follow the instructions for the Prayer with Scripture and in Campolo’s video of reading and re-reading the passage.
Then ask the Spirit of God what God wants to teach you and re-read again and again. (Make sure you have pen and paper to jot down your impressions.)
Write out your impressions and share with the rest of the class.
An ancient prayer practice made popular by Benedictine orders is being increasingly used by mainline Christians as a new way to experience the Bible. Lectio divina, Latin for “sacred reading,” is a contemplative practice designed to open us to the presence of God through scripture. Since it is meditative in nature, it can serve as a natural complement to the intellectual, historical-critical method of Bible study traditionally practiced by Protestants.
Lectio divina is a simple method that invites us to approach scripture the way we might open a love letter from our beloved. We come to scripture with the desire to be in relationship with God. Begin by reading a short passage, listening for a word or phrase that grabs your attention or seems especially significant in some way, and then meditating and praying with that word or phrase, either silently or aloud.
No one knows the exact origin of this practice. Jewish scholars have been poring and praying over scripture for centuries. Benedict of Nursia (480-547) required members of his Christian order to spend considerable time in prayer with scripture, which is why some people call this a Benedictine practice. It came through the Protestant Reformation by way of Martin Luther (1483-1546) who suggested we read scripture with a “four stranded garland” in mind, with each ribbon representing a way of listening to the scripture–instruction, thanksgiving, confession, and guidance.
The traditional method of lectio divina, as passed down through the history of Christian spirituality, includes the following five steps. You may practice this method alone or with a group.
• Silencio. Begin in silence, turning all your thoughts and desires over to God.
• Lectio. Read a short passage of scripture slowly and carefully, at least twice. Notice any word, phase, or image that seems to have energy for you. It could be a word that invites you; a phrase that puzzles you; an image that intrigues you.
• Meditatio. Sit in silence with your word, phrase, or image. Repeat it gently if your thoughts drift. Ruminate on the word gently, allowing it to sink into your heart deeply. Consider how it connects with your life today. Like Luther, you may want to ponder how it calls you to confession, gratitude, or a new way of living.
• Oratio. Fall deeply into prayer. Be honest with God about your feelings. If you desire, write in a journal. Name your word or phrase. Draw your image. Write about how God is present to you now.
• Contemplatio. Rest silently in the presence of God. Move beyond words, phrases, or images. Enjoy the freedom that comes in contemplation.
