This is the post I intended to write yesterday. I spent some time out on my deck in the coolness of the morning revisiting an ancient approach to reading Scripture called Lectio Divina. I had learned about this practice of contemplative & prayerful Scripture reading once practiced by monks centuries ago through a book called Read. Think. Pray. Live. by Tony Jones (reprinted by NavPress under the title Divine Intervention: Encountering God Through the Ancient Practice of Lectio Divina).

I picked up this little red book in 2003 while perusing the shelves in a book store. The title & back cover copy intrigued me. I took it home, read through it, practiced what it taught, and was blessed by a new (at least for me) way to approach God's Word - a way that had been practiced by Christians for over 1500 years, including people like St. Augustine, St. Francis & others. I liked it so much, in fact, that I picked up a few copies and used them in an experimental email Bible study I was doing with several of our youth (which didn't work too well - again, another story for another time).

The premise of Lectio Divina is fourfold:

1. lectio - "Reading"
2. meditatio - "Meditation"
3. oratio - "Prayer"
4. contemplatio - "Contemplation

While it is a small book, I'd do it injustice to try and synopsize the extent of each of these four 'steps' and call it good. I'd encourage you to pick up the book for yourself, or Google "Lectio Divina" for more info. Here's the gist of each step to help whet your appetite:

lectio: Find a space that lends itself to quiet and reflection. Pick a passage. The Psalms are a good place to begin. Try to steer clear of your favorite verses (at least for awhile). It is better to begin with passages that are more unfamiliar so that you won't approach them with a pre-conceived notion of what they already say. Read. Think. Pray. Live. author Tony Jones says, "Once you choose a passage, read the passage slowly and repeatedly. You might read it out loud a couple of times, then once or twice silently. You don't need to think about what the passage means just yet. The idea is to experience the passage."

meditatio: After you've read through the passage several times, move on to meditating on the words themselves. Sometimes a particular word or phrase will stand out to you. Jones calls this part "chewing on the Word... experience the flavor of God's Word." Shine a spotlight on the word(s) or phrase(s) that God draws your attention to. What do the words bring to mind? What does it feel like for you? This is the most difficult part for most people because we are not used to focusing our mind. It is easy, if we are not careful, to allow the thoughts/worries of our lives to crowd in. Resist this. As you get used to the practice of Lectio Divina it will become more natural & easier to focus.

oratio: This is the time of prayer, of conversation with God about what He is bringing to your attention from His Word. Jones notes that people might ask, "'God, why did you put this phrase in my heart today?' People sometimes get hung up on whether it was God who gave them this phrase — maybe it was just them picking something out. Honestly, it doesn't really matter what comes from us and what comes from God — God can use even our self-motivated choices. We work under the faith-filled assumption that God is at work." Ask yourself the question: "God, what do you want me to do with what you've given me today?"

contemplatio: This is the final stage. It is a time to be quiet & rest in God. To "simply be."


It was good for me to approach Scripture in this way - it was something different that I hadn't done in a long time. God used it! He spoke right into where I was at with some things in my life - encouraging me, and reminding me of Who He is.

It might seem strange, at first, do practice something like Lectio Divina. That's okay. It may not be for everyone. It certainly isn't the only way to approach His Word. It might, however, provide you with a spiritual re-charge, like me, that was much needed as you venture to break away from the familiarity of your normal routines.