The term “Lectio Divina” is a Latin expression translated as “Divine Reading.” It was popularly known to be a part of the daily prayer practices of the early sixth century monastic communities in Europe. It was a way of communicating with God through Scriptures. It comprised reading and rereading a short passage of Scripture under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit whilst in prayer. Some describe it as “dialoguing with God” through Bible reading.
Lectio Divina is a contemplative way of reading Scripture that invites us to engage in a sacred dialogue with God. This practice is not merely about reading the Bible, but about listening to God’s voice, and responding to His presence in our lives. As we read and reread a short passage of Scripture, we open ourselves to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to guide us, comfort us, and challenge us.
Understanding this concept and applying it to our prayer lives will greatly enrich our spiritual lives and depth in the Lord.
Examples of Lectio Divina in the Old Testament
The psalms of David are filled with examples of meditation, reflection, and prayer. He often poured out his heart to God, seeking guidance, comfort, and wisdom. The prophets of the Old Testament, such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, often received revelation from God through meditation, prayer, and contemplation.
Here are some Scriptural examples:
- Meditation and Reflection: In Psalm 1:2-3, the psalmist writes, ” But whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.” This passage highlights the importance of meditation and reflection on Scripture.
- Prayer and Supplication: In Psalm 119:18, the psalmist prays, “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.” This verse illustrates the practice of praying for illumination and understanding of Scripture.
- Contemplation and Wonder: In Job 42:5-6, Job says, “I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore, I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” This passage demonstrates the transformative power of contemplating God’s Word and experiencing His presence.
Jesus’ Practice of Lectio Divina
Jesus frequently quoted Scriptures in His prayers, demonstrating the importance of rooting our prayers in God’s Word. Here are some examples:
- Matthew 27:46: As Jesus hung on the cross, He quoted Psalm 22:1, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” This passage illustrates Jesus’ trust in God’s Word, even in the midst of great suffering.
- Luke 23:46: As Jesus breathed His last on the cross, He quoted Psalm 31:5, “Into your hands I commit my spirit.” This passage demonstrates Jesus’ trust in God’s sovereignty and care.
- Matthew 4:4: During Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, He quoted Deuteronomy 8:3, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” This passage illustrates Jesus’ commitment to living by God’s Word.
- Matthew 21:42: After Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, He quoted Psalm 118:22-23, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone…and it is marvelous in our eyes.” This passage demonstrates Jesus’ understanding of Himself as the fulfillment of Scripture.
The Apostles’ Practice of Lectio Divina
The Apostles, who were Jesus’ closest followers and the leaders of the early Christian church, continued Jesus’ practice of quoting Scriptures in prayer. Here are some examples:
- Peter’s Prayer in Acts 4:24-30: After Peter and John were released from prison, the early Christian community gathered to pray. Peter quoted Psalm 2:1-2, saying, “Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain?” This passage illustrates the Apostles’ trust in God’s sovereignty and control.
- Stephen’s Prayer in Acts 7:59-60: As Stephen was being stoned, he prayed, quoting Psalm 31:5, “Into Your hand I commit my spirit.” This passage demonstrates Stephen’s commitment to following Jesus’ example, even in the face of persecution.
- Paul’s Prayer in Romans 15:9-13: In this portion of his letter to the Romans, Paul prays for the Gentiles, quoting several Scriptures, including Psalm 18:49, Deuteronomy 32:43, and Psalm 117:1. This passage illustrates Paul’s practice of rooting his prayers in Scripture.
- The Apostles’ Prayer in Acts 1:20-25: After Judas’ betrayal, the Apostles prayed, quoting Psalm 69:25 and Psalm 109:8 as the spiritual basis for their request for a replacement. This passage demonstrates the Apostles’ trust in God’s will and guidance.
Why Pray with Scripture?
- It properly aligns our motives in prayer. When we pray based on God’s word, we avoid the temptation of praying with selfish or misguided motives. We are able to pray according to God’s will.
James 4:3 says, “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”
“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him” (1 John 5:14-15, NKJV).
- It gives greater weight to our prayer. When we pray with the word, we catch God’s attention because God is committed to performing His word.
“Then the LORD said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over My word to perform it” (Jeremiah 1:12, NASB).
“Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven” (Psalm 119:89, NKJV).
- The Spoken Word is the Sword of the Spirit
“Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17, NIV).
The Greek word used for God’s word here is the word “Rhema” which refers to the spoken word. In other words, the word spoken in prayer or declarations under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit works as the sword of the Spirit which is one of our mighty weapons in spiritual warfare.
- The Word is exalted above all else.
“…You have magnified Your word above all Your name” (Psalm 138:2, NKJV).
The New Living Translation interestingly renders the same verse this way: “…for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name.”
In other words, God so esteems His word such that all the honor of His name is at stake if He fails to keep His word.
A Four-Step Process
We can follow these four steps to incorporate Lectio Divina into our personal prayer lives:
1. Reading: We begin by reading a short passage of Scripture, slowly and attentively, allowing the words to sink deeply into our minds and hearts. The choice of the passage of Scripture must be Spirit-led either before or whilst in prayer.
Alternatively, we can search the Scriptures for passages that align with the specific prayer points we are engaging with.
2. Meditation: As we reflect on the passage, we ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate its meaning and significance. We ponder the words, phrases, and images that resonate with us, and allow ourselves to be shaped by their message. During this period, the Holy Spirit will give us deeper insight into the Scriptural passage. One could note down specific areas where the Spirit prompts further studies into.
3. Prayer: We respond to the passage by speaking to God in prayer. We express our thoughts, feelings, and desires, and ask for guidance, wisdom, and strength. Here, we also make confessions, declarations, decrees, and enforcements based on God’s word. The end we seek is for the word to become “flesh” (or real) in our lives (John 1:14), thereby beholding God’s glory.
4. Contemplation: In the final stage, we simply rest in God’s presence, allowing ourselves to be filled with His love, peace, and joy. We let go of our thoughts and worries, and bask in the beauty and wonder of His creation.
May the Lord help us to grow in our habit of quoting/reading Scriptures in prayer as it is a powerful way to deepen our spiritual lives, cultivate a richer relationship with God, and experience the transformative power of Scripture.
Ovr. Joel Kwesi Baidoo
Kpandai New Town District (0207079250)
