Spiritual exercise: Lectio Divina
Lectio Divina (meaning divine reading)
Lectio Divina is an early practice of devotional reading.
“For the first 1, 500 years of church history this kind of reading was practiced since so many people were illiterate and many that could read didn’t have Bibles.”
Lectio Divina offers a way of “attending to Scripture, which invites us into God’s presence to listen for His particular, loving word to me at this particular moment in time.” —by Adele Calhoun
This devotional reading was traditionally made up of five movements. For this exercise, we will use Psalm 89: 11-18 NLT.
Psalm 89: 11-18“The heavens are yours, and the earth is yours; everything in the world is yours—You created it all.You created north and south. Mount Tabor and Mount Hermon praise your name.Powerful is your arm! Strong is your hand! Your right hand is lifted high in glorious strength.Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. Unfailing love and truth walk before you as attendants. Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship, for they will walk in the light of your Presence, Lord. They rejoice all day long in your wonderful reputation. They exult in your righteousness.You are their glorious strength. It pleases you to make us strong.Yes, our protection comes from the Lord, and He, the Holy One of Israel, has given us our king.”Invitation. Find a quiet and comfortable place to be still with God. This can be practiced any time in your day where rest and refreshment may be desired. This may also be practiced with a friend.
Follow each of the five parts. Take as long as you can to sit with each portion of the prayer exercise. You may wish to journal as you pause, notice, and wonder.
Silencio (quiet, stillness). Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and clear your mind of distractions. “Put yourself in the presence of God. Become quiet and offer yourself to God.”
Lectio (read). Read out loud slowly Psalm 89:11-18, allowing the words to resonate and settle in your heart. Notice a word or phrase that draws your attention, “linger with the word and savor it as a word of God for you.”
Meditatio (meditate, think on). “Read the passage again and listen to where the word(s) connect with your life right now. Enter into a scene in your imagination from the reading. Listen. What do you hear and experience as you imagine and listen?” *You may wish to journal as you listen and notice.
Oratio (pray). “Read the passage once more aloud slowly, listening attentively. How has God addressed you in this word or phrase you have been holding in prayerful listening? How would you like to respond to God in this moment with this word? Allow the Scripture to lead you into a prayerful response. Let your response flow out spontaneously and freely before the Lord who loves you. Hold nothing back. Respond to God’s invitation to you.”
Contemplatio (contemplation): “Deeply receive God’s Word and rest in His presence and love. Give yourself some time to wait and be still before you reenter life as usual. Carry God’s invitation and word with you throughout your day. Return to it and remember it, stay with God until you feel prompted to leave this passage.”
Next time, choose another passage to practice Lectio Divina again.
Quotation Notes
Wording and quotations have been taken from Adele Calhoun’s book Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices That Transform Us
