Praying with Scripture - Lectio Divina
Lectio Divina, a Latin term meaning "divine reading," is an ancient Christian practice of scripture reading, meditation, and prayer intended to promote communion with God and increase the knowledge of God's Word. It involves four main steps: lectio (reading), meditatio (meditation), oratio (prayer), and contemplatio (contemplation). In lectio, one slowly reads a passage of scripture, paying close attention to each word. During meditatio, the reader reflects deeply on the text, seeking to understand its meaning and implications. Oratio involves responding to the passage with heartfelt prayer, and contemplatio is the stage of resting in God's presence, experiencing a profound sense of peace and connection. This practice transforms the act of reading scripture into a living dialogue with the divine.
