Our society is filled with noise: the noise of traffic, TV, work, phones, emails, text messages. The practice of Lectio Divina helps you slow down and tune out the noise by inspiring and equipping you to sit in silence and listen for God’s voice in Scripture.

What is Lectio Divina?

Lectio Divina—which means “divine reading” in Latin—is a way of reading and praying through Scripture that has been practiced for centuries. While it’s an ancient tradition, it is exceptionally relevant for today’s culture as well.

How does Lectio Divina work?

You can practice Lectio Divina by yourself or with a group. One Lectio exercise will usually take about fifteen or twenty minutes.

The exercise incorporates these four distinct steps:

1. Reading (Lectio). What does the text say?

Read through the Bible passage—slowly. Read out loud if you are part of a group, and maybe even if you are by yourself. Consider the people speaking or acting in the passage. Reflect on the time, place, feelings, actions, and senses involved. Write down what you discover. Leave room for silence after you finish reading the passage.

2. Meditation (Meditatio). What does the text say to you?

Read through the passage slowly again. Focus on what jumps out to you personally in the passage. Explore what is God trying to show you through Scripture. Connect the text to your life circumstances and struggles.

3. Prayer (Oratio). How do you respond to the text?

Now that God has spoken to you through the Bible passage, you can respond to God in prayer. You can ask for forgiveness, give thanks, recite a memorized prayer, or write in a journal. You can also read a Psalm or a similar familiar Bible passage as your prayer.

4. Contemplation (Contemplatio). What can God teach you in silence?

While Lectio Divina incorporates silence in all its steps, this step focuses on silence with more intention. Allow yourself to be embraced by God’s presence. Sit in silence to take it all in—and listen for God's voice.

Here’s an optional fifth step you can take:

5. Action. How can you apply God’s Word to everyday life?

Consider how what you experienced through reading, meditation, prayer, and contemplation might compel you to live differently today. What new practices can you incorporate into your every day? How can you live out this experience in your community? Now is the time to put what you’ve learned into concrete action.