Reading Scripture with Lectio Divina
For many of us, reading the Bible can become a quick task—something we check off the list or skim through to get a verse for the day. But Scripture was never meant to be rushed. It’s a source of information, but it’s also a meeting place with the living God!
Lectio Divina—Latin for “divine reading”—is a slow, prayerful way to read Scripture that invites God to speak and form us as we read. It’s been practiced by Christians since the early church, not as a formula, but as a rhythm of listening. Understanding the passage is essential—but Lectio Divina invites us to go further: to hear God personally and respond.
The goal is to commune with the Author.
Here’s what Lectio Divina is, why it matters, and how to practice it.
What Is Lectio Divina?
This is a traditional monastic practice of scriptural reading, meditation and prayer intended to promote communion with God and to increase the knowledge of God's word. David Benner’s view in his book Opening to God: Lectio Divina and Life as Prayer, this way of diving into the Bible does not treat Scripture as texts to be studied, but as the living word.
Lectio Divina is not Bible study where you analyze a passage or break it down to the original Greek. It’s a spiritual practice of sitting with Scripture to listen to God. Instead of asking, “What does this mean historically?” you ask, “God, what are You saying to me here and now?”
This doesn’t replace studying the Bible in its proper context. Sound doctrine matters. There’s a place for digging into Greek or Hebrew, understanding the original audience, and rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). But alongside study, there’s also space for intimacy. Lectio Divina invites you to slow down, listen, and meet with the God the Author—not just learn about Him. It’s not either-or… It’s both!
Studying can shape your theology of Jesus. This practice can shape your communion with Jesus.
The Lectio Divina process moves through four movements:
Read (Lectio)
Meditate (Meditatio)
Pray (Oratio)
Contemplate (Contemplatio)
Each step slows us down and makes room for us to dive deeper into our relationship with the Lord.
Why Practice Lectio Divina?
Because most of us are rushing. Because we read Scripture with our eyes but not always with our hearts.
It’s possible to know Bible facts and still miss the voice of the One who wrote them.
Lectio Divina slows us down and trains us to listen. It makes space for the Holy Spirit to highlight what He wants to say.
Scripture is not a textbook. It’s the living Word of God (Hebrews 4:12), and it speaks—personally, presently, and powerfully!
Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice” (John 10:27). This practice helps us become sheep who know the sound of our Shepherd—day by day, verse by verse. It sharpens our spiritual ears, deepens our prayers, and roots our obedience in relationship, not just duty.
How to Practice Lectio Divina
You can do this anywhere—at home, on a walk, in a quiet moment before work. Here’s how:
1. READ ("Lectio")
Read the passage slowly—twice if needed. Let it hit your ears and your heart.
Ask:
What is this passage saying?
What word or phrase catches my attention?
What is the Spirit highlighting?
Don’t rush. Let the Word speak to you.
2. MEDITATE ("Meditatio")
This step is where God often reveals something deeper—conviction, comfort, clarity. Let the passage interact with your life, past and present.
This step is where you pause to listen. You might have previously studied the passage, but right now you're holding it gently and letting God speak to you through His written word. The goal is not information, but communion.
The word meditate in this context is closer to ponder—to weigh something slowly, carefully, repeatedly. You’re letting the Holy Spirit draw your attention to something personal: a word, an image, a phrase. You're asking questions like:
Lord, what are You highlighting for me?
What are You trying to say to me right now?
What emotions or memories should come up in me right now?
How do I instinctively respond to this verse?
For example, if you’re reading Jesus’ words in John 14:27 — “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you” — you’re not trying to diagram the sentence, trace the Greek, or build a theology of peace. That has its place. But in this moment, you're receiving those words directly from the Lord. You're letting His peace rest on you. You're sitting with the truth that He gives peace—personally, freely, even now.
Rather than dissecting peace, you’re entering it. That’s the heart of meditation in Lectio Divina. It’s about letting the Word form you—not just inform you.
3. PRAY ("Oratio")
Respond to God from the heart. Your prayer might include:
Asking questions
Worship
Gratitude
Confession
Asking God for what you need
You can pray aloud or in a journal. The goal is real interaction, not just religious language. This is where relationship grows!
4. CONTEMPLATE ("Contemplatio")
Now, just rest. You’ve read, listened, responded. Now be still.
Sit quietly in God’s presence.
Ask: What is God saying back to me?
Let your soul rest in what you’ve heard.
Receive His peace, His love, His presence.
This may feel awkward at first—but don’t skip it. This is where the Word takes root. It’s where your mind is renewed. It’s where you start to live differently!
How to Start This Week
You don’t need to be a monk! Just start simple.
Choose a short passage: Psalm 23:1–3, John 15:1–8, or Matthew 11:28–30.
Set aside 20 minutes. Turn off your phone. Sit in a quiet place.
Walk through the four movements slowly.
Journal anything that stands out.
End with this prayer: “Lord, shape me by Your Word. Speak clearly. I’m listening.”
God is not silent. And He doesn’t only speak through sermons or signs—He speaks in Scripture. Lectio Divina slows you down so you can hear Him again.
This week, make space: Bring your Bible and your heart, and let the Word read you.