A Prayer for Spiritual Growth

Lectio Divina

Lectio Divina, a prayer for spiritual growth, is a helpful tool. "Lectio" means reading, and "divina" means holy or sacred. Lectio Divina has been practiced for centuries as a way to encourage spiritual growth. Across Christianity it has become a popular method of approaching Scripture in our information-saturated world.

Preparation: Find a quiet place to do lectio. Choose a Biblical text on which to meditate. Read slowly for meaning, not speed.

1. Silence (silencio) – Take several deep breaths and allow the silence to quiet your inside clutter

2. Read the Word (lectio) – Read a brief portion of Scripture slowly several times, listening for a key phrase or word.

3. Meditate (meditatio) – Reflect on what you’ve read. (Allow the Word to sink in from your head to your heart)

4. Contemplate (comtemplatio) – In silence listen (instead of talking to God or thinking your thoughts) and allow God to speak to you.

5. Prayer (oratio) – How is God speaking to you through this scripture? (pray this back to Him, committing yourself to applying it)



GROUP LECTIO DIVINA (A group prayer for Spiritual Growth):

The practice of lectio can be a great experience for a group. This is a group form of lectio that I've used in a woman's Bible study group for over 3 years. It has been an effective tool for growth for those who attend.

1. Silence (silencio) - Begin with a few moments of silence and then open with prayer.

2. Read the Word (lectio) - The passage is read 2 or 3 times, slowly and deliberately. Participants are asked to choose a word that speaks to them and share it with the group.

3. Meditate (meditatio) - Read the passage 2 or 3 times more (with a different voice). In silence, ask participants to reflect on the word or phrase that speaks to them, attending to the emotions or feelings it brings up in them. (They are encouraged to share this if they are willing to.)

4. Contemplation (comtemplatio) - Read the passage once or twice again (with a different voice); a longer period of silence is kept in order for each person to listen to what God is saying to them. (Allow the participants to share what God is saying to them through the text.)

Final Word on lectio:

Guigo II (ca.1115-ca.1198), the ninth prior of the Grand Chartreuse (a Carthusian monastic order in France) wrote these words:

Reading is an exterior exercise; meditation belongs to the inner intellect. Prayer operates at the level of desire. Contemplation transcends every sense.

Reading is proper to beginners, meditation to proficients, prayer to those with devotion and contemplation to the blessed.

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