Prayer Exercise 3

Lectio Divina

Lectio Divina – Latin for divine-sacred reading

V Combines Scripture reading with meditation
V Combines Scripture reading & meditation with prayer
V Combines Scripture reading & meditation & prayer with contemplation
V Combines Scripture reading & meditation & prayer & contemplation with action

Scripture

V Look to a text that stands out to you from your reading, or pick a text.

Reading – looking over text with ear for what Lord is saying

V Slowly read the scripture passage several times while asking the Lord to speak to you.

Meditation – reflecting over the text with your thoughts, imagination, and feelings

V Take some time to reflect on the words and phrases in the text. Which words, phrases, or images speak most to you?

Prayer – speaking the text back to God

V Offer the internalized passage back to God in the form of a personalized prayer of adoration, confession, renewal, petition, intercession, affirmation, or thanksgiving.

Contemplation – listening to God through the text

V What word or image captures the spirit of the passage for you?
V Take a few minutes to present yourself before God in silence and yieldedness. When your mind wanders, center yourself by returning to the spirit of the passage.

Action – apply the text in your relationship with God

V How is God calling you to respond to Him?