Divine reading (Lectio Divina) is an ancient way of deepening friendship with God that is being rediscovered by Christians today. Divine reading is listening for His living voice through Scripture and responding to Him in prayer.
This way of praying is drawn from the Jewish tradition of intensive, prayerful reading of the Torah, reflected in such verses as:
I treasure your word in my heart, so that I may not sin against you.
Psalm 119:11
I will meditate on your precepts, and fix my eyes on your ways.
Psalm 119:15
I revere your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on your statutes.
Psalm 119:48
The early Christians further developed the practice of “divine reading” to grow in intimate relationship with Christ:
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs to God. Colossians 3:16
Divine reading is a conversation with God that starts with our listening to God through scripture. Usually in prayer we speak to God and wait for Him to answer. In divine reading it’s the opposite. First God speaks to us through the Scriptures. We listen and then we respond. Divine reading requires slowing down and getting quiet inside, which is vital in our hurried, busy lives. The practice is a complement to studying scripture for information. In divine reading, we spend unhurried time with just a few verses, fully “digesting” them, and listening for what God is saying to us personally.
Divine reading has been compared a cow chewing its cud to digest the needed food. It has also been compared to strolling down a path, walking slowly and pausing along the way and really paying attention to the sights and sounds. This slow path leads into the heart of God, and lets Him put His word into our hearts.
When we study scripture, we read for information; when we pray with scripture, we read for transformation. Divine reading helps us pay attention to what God wants to communicate to us and receive what God wants to do in our lives. It is a matter of taking in the bread of God’s Word, chewing on it, and digesting it until it brings forth new life and energy that can be shared with others.
1. PREPARING (From hurry to stillness)
Set aside at least 15 minutes, and find a quiet place. Take some deep breaths, then ask the Lord to speak to you through His word. Let Him lead you to a short passage (usually one to three verses)
2. READING (From stillness to listening)
Listen to the passage, giving your full attention to the words. If you are engaging in divine reading with a group, listen as someone reads the passage aloud. If you are engaging in the practice by yourself, read the passage aloud to yourself, slowly. View the passage less as a text book and more as a love letter you have just received.
Repeat the reading several times, pausing between readings for meditating.
3. MEDITATING (From listening to reflecting)
Listen for the word or phrase in the passage that stands out, that shimmers or shines for you, like a “vibration” you receive from your cell phone when someone is calling; a word or phrase that draws you in with the promise that it has more to say to you. Gently repeat the word or phrase inside yourself, letting it interact with thoughts, feelings, memories, hurts, and hopes. Related scripture passages may come to mind, an image may appear in your mind’s eye, a memory may become vivid, your heart may be touched. Let the Lord “speak” within you, and simply be open and pay attention.
When you listen to the passage the second time, is it the same word or phrase that invites you to spend some time with it, or is it a different word or phrase?
Again, spend some time reflecting on the word or phrase that the Lord highlights for you.
Before the third reading of the same passage, ask the Lord to make clear what He is saying to you.
4. PRAYING (From reflecting to responding)
Respond to the Lord in whatever way is genuine for you at this time: pouring out your heart to Him, asking Him for what you need to grow deeper in intimacy with Him, thanking Him, rejoicing in Him, etc.
5. RESTING (From responding to resting)
When we have been in real, active conversation with God, it can be emotionally intense. But when the needed words have been said, we come to a place of rest in God. Here there are no expectations, no demands, no need to know, no desire but to be in the Divine Presence, receptive to whatever God desires to do with us. Here we allow ourselves simply to be, welcoming God’s own way of being with us in a “Now” that transcends time.
6. TAKING A WORD WITH YOU (From resting to going with God)
Take with you the word that sparkled for you from the passage as you continue through your day. You might want to write it down where you can see it throughout the day. Let it play as the “background music” of your consciousness. Return to it often through the day, letting God’s word continue to work in you.