Practice guide · about 15–30 minutes
How to Pray Lectio Divina
Praying slowly with a short passage of Scripture, alone or with others.
By Robin Kencel, spiritual director · Last updated
What is Lectio Divina?
Lectio Divina (“divine reading”) is a slow, prayerful way of reading Scripture. Unlike studying Scripture on an intellectual or practical level, it treats Scripture as the living word and seeks communion with God.
It is a practice of the early Church, cherished especially in Benedictine monasteries since the sixth century and the Rule of St. Benedict. Its four classic movements (reading, reflecting, responding, resting) were named by the Carthusian Guigo II in The Ladder of Monks (about 1150). Some add a fifth, living the Word (actio).
Praying it alone
Choose a short passage, a few verses. The coming Sunday's Gospel is a good place to start. Then move gently through the four movements:
Lectio: read
Read the passage slowly, perhaps aloud. Notice a word or phrase that catches your attention.
Meditatio: reflect
Read it again. Ponder the word or phrase. Let it touch your thoughts, memories and desires.
Oratio: respond
Read it once more, and speak to God about what has stirred in you, simply and honestly.
Contemplatio: rest
Let the words go and rest quietly in God's presence.
These are movements, not a ladder to master. Move between them freely.
Praying it in a group
- The passage is read aloud slowly three times, by different voices, with silence after each reading.
- After the first reading, each person may share just the word or phrase that stood out.
- After the second, how it touches their life.
- After the third, any invitation they sense from God.
- There is no discussion, debate or correction. Everyone simply listens.
Robin's Lectio Divina group prays this way online, with 4–9 people, for up to an hour.
Common difficulties
“No word stands out.” That is all right. Stay with the passage as a whole, or simply rest.
“I start analyzing.” Notice it gently and return to listening. This is not Bible study or exegesis.
Sources and further reading
- What is Lectio Divina? (Anglican Communion, PDF)
- Praying with Scripture (IgnatianSpirituality.com)
- Guigo II, The Ladder of Monks (c. 1150)
- The Rule of St. Benedict