How-to
Reading as Prayer
Lectio Divina Steps
- Reading Once you’ve selected a few paragraphs to read, be sure to prepare yourself to accept the gifts of the text by finding silence and a space for careful consideration. Read, but then pause for a minute or two. There is no reason to rush.
- Meditation Read the text again, slowly. Do not immediately assigning meaning, but notice a phrase that stands out that day, one that “shimmers.” Make a note of it and pause.
- Prayer Read again, but just the smaller section—a word, a sentence, a phrase. Think about what kind of prayer it suggests to you. Speak your thoughts directly to God, even if just gratitude, such as “Thank you, God, for drawing close to me and giving me new insights with these words.” Pause in this heart-centered, honest place.
- Contemplation Reading the text a fourth time, prepared to make connections—to God’s answers for you, to applications in your life. Either sit in silence or write a few thoughts in a spiritual journal. Relish this time of listening, of opening, and accepting love and peace. Allow God’s grace to simply wash over you.
- Action In order to carry mindfulness and meditation throughout your day, your week, your life, make a small, concrete resolution to think, act, and love differently.
ABOUT Lectio divina was first practiced by Christian monastics, but other traditions, such as Judaic, Islamic and Eastern faiths, have similar traditions. So all are welcome to this space.
In the most formal approach, a small selection of text is read four times with different focus. Some liken lectio divina to feasting on words, first taking a bite of a passage, chewing on it, savoring its essence, and, finally, and making it a part of your body and mind. The four steps are Read, Meditate, Pray and Contemplate.
While monks often memorized scripture so it stayed with them throughout the day, even a work of art, a story, a tradition, a symbol, a song, or an experience that lives in your memory can be a bearer of truth across time and space, something that is open to interpretation and infused with meaning for you.
See our suggestions for texts for reading as prayer, as well as our monthly newsletter, which provides exclusive content for subscribers.
