Praying With Scripture: The Ancient Art of Lectio Divina
Learning to meditate and savour God's word using the ancient Christian practice of Lectio Divina.
One that enriches and revives your personal encounter of Him?
In Latin, Lectio Divina, means “sacred reading”. It is a way to read over small pieces of scripture, slowly and prayerfully.
Practiced for centuries by monks and nuns it comes from the Hebrew method of study which required interaction of the reader/hearer for deeper study of scripture.
As a traditional method of cultivating deeper relationship with Christ, today it is a way not only to read scripture, but rather allowing scripture to read you, to allow your meditation on the word of God to become an ongoing conversation with the divine.
12th Century, monk Guido, explains the four movements of Lectio Divina using food and feasting symbolism by saying: “Reading, as it were, puts the food into the mouth, meditation chews it and breaks it up, prayer extracts its flavour; contemplation is the sweetness itself which gladdens and refreshes.
Engage in the more contemplative, traditional spiritual practices that will provide a good balance to the outward, ministry expression of public ministry life
Embrace slowness and meditation amidst your busy lifestyle.
Develop a routine of guided prayer for your own personal devotions.
Bring an intentionality and power to public ministry times because of greater reflection privately.
Learn to drown out the noise of fear, opinions and the concerns of this world and hone in to His still small voice