Beloved seekers of God we have spent three blogs talking about dynamics involved in contemplative prayer. It has been our hope that this has led you to be curious about the forms used in praying the scriptures. Today we present you with an example of the form of Lectio Divina that we will be using as we start our sharing on Thursday January 9, 2025. This form has been adapted from the original monastic form, as we have found it to be more compatible with everyday domestic life.

Lectio Divina Format:

Scripture Reading, Observation, Meditation, Contemplation, Personal Prayer, Yielding

(Often an opening and a closing prayer are included in the practice.)

Opening Prayer: For Quiet Confidence

“O God of peace, who hast taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be our strength: By the might of thy Spirit lift us, we pray thee, to thy presence, where we may be still and know that thouart God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”^[1]

Scripture Reading: Ezekiel 34:14

“I shall feed them in good pasturage; the high mountains of Israel will be their grazing ground. There they will rest in good grazing ground; they will browse in rich pastures on the mountains of Israel.”^[2]

Observation: Listening to the Reading of the Word (Lectio)

As we listen to the word read for the first time, we are invited to be aware of any word or phrase that catches our attention. The key here is to listen with the soul center rather than with the mind After a minute of silence, we will be invited to share it with the group.

Meditation: Reflecting on the Word (Meditatio)

As we listen to the word read for a second time, we are invited to be aware of any reflection or thought that comes to mind. Now we use the combination of the word which God used to stir our soul and thoughts that seem connected to it. After five minutes of silence, we will be invited to share our experience with the group.

Contemplation: Resting in the Word (Contemplatio) 

As we listen to the word read for a third time, we are invited just to sit with it in silence for ten minutes. We let our thoughts become simpler and quieter. We become aware beyond its words, communing with the Spirit who speaks through it. In the silence of our hearts, we simply rest in the Spirit.

Personal Prayer: Responding to the Word (Oratio) 

The leader now invites us to be aware of any prayer that rises up within us from our hearts that expresses what we are experiencing in and through this time of meditation. After a short silence, we will be invited to express it aloud.

Closing: The Lord’s Prayer^[3]

Yielding: Daily Practice

Let the material God has provided rise up into your consciousness as you go about your daily living this week. Discern any slight changes that may occur in your thoughts and behavior because God has and is touching the quality of your consciousness through a new depth of awareness. If so inclined, journal on this.

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From past blogs we remember that the periods of silence are understood in a larger way than simply a lack of audible noise. Whenever emptiness—what seems like empty space or absence of sound—becomes its own kind of fullness, with its own kind of sweet voice, in that we have just experienced sacred silence. The God given gift of Lectio Divina opens for each one of us the gift of God’s personal love hidden in the gift of our lives.

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Below is an example of the process of Lectio Divina as experienced by David Dumont: 

Scripture Reading:

Ezekiel 34:14 

Observation:

The phrase, “feeding on good pastures,” resonated in my soul center.

Meditation: 

I thought about when we lived on a farm. Keeping good pastures was very important to our animals. Without good pasture, their health would quickly deteriorate. I experience that God is drawing me into a rich pattern of contemplative prayer and here the Lord feeds me with good pastures spiritually, and without that I cannot live. 

Contemplation:

I am becoming more and more aware of my hunger for God and my need for intimacy with God. As I continue in silence, I move into a peaceful inner space.

Personal Prayer: 

Dear God, I am so deeply grateful to find you with me, and with all of us. I am humbled by experiencing this taste of your great personal love for me. Amen.

Yielding:

Reflecting on this, day by day through the week, helps me to want to be sure that I stay faithful to my daily prayer and my way of life as a lay contemplative.

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We look forward to sharing this form of prayer with you at the Zoom gathering at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday January 9, 2025. We will provide the format, prayers and Scripture on our next post.

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^[1] Prayers for Family and Personal Life, #59. The Book of Common Prayer. New-York: T. Whittaker, 1875, 832.

^[2] Ezekiel 34:14, General editor: Alexander Jones. The Jerusalem Bible. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, 1966.

^[3] Matthew 6: 10-13, The Jerusalem Bible. Doubleday, 1966.