Pillar Journal
Lectio Divina means sacred reading. This is a way of praying that has been around for centuries. It involves taking a short passage of scripture and listening to it 4 times and responding to it once it is read. We often read scripture as a discipline that helps us grow in our faith. This is another way to grow but instead of us reading the text, we allow the text to read us through the power of the Holy Spirit. Lectio Divina involves four simple movements. Read, Reflect, Respond, and Rest.
Let’s try this prayer practice of lectio divina with this passage from Mark 10:46-52.
Find a quiet place if possible. Begin with a few moments of silence.
Read: Read the text slowly as if you have never heard it before. Read it aloud if you want.
10 11
Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you. “Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. (Mark 10:46-52)
Silence.
Reflect: Read the text again. What word or phrase are you noticing? Is there something that seems to be appearing in bold print as if God wants you to pay attention to that?
Silence.
Respond: Read the text a third time. Now pray and ask God about the word, or phrase that you are noticing. What might He be speaking to you? Is there something in your life that relates to this word or phrase? Have a conversation with God about this.
Silence.
Rest: Read the text a fourth time. Now sit in silence and just rest in the presence of God. No words are necessary. Just rest.
Silence.
Amen.
Let’s try this prayer practice of lectio divina with this passage from John 15.
When we think of the connection between us and God, the image of the Vine and Branches come to mind. The branches must be connected to the Vine to live. This is where they receive nourishment and sustenance. Prayer is like that for us. As Jesus says, “Apart from the Lord, we can do nothing.”
We need this connection with Him.
As you try this practice, find a quiet place if possible. Begin with a few moments of silence.
Read: Read the text slowly as if you have never heard it before. Read it aloud if you want.
John 15:1-5
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
Silence.
Reflect: Read the text again. What word or phrase are you noticing? Is there something that seems to be appearing in bold print as if God wants you to pay attention to that?
Silence.
Respond: Read the text a third time. Now pray and ask God about the word, or phrase that you are noticing. What might He be speaking to you? Is there something in your life that relates to this word or phrase? Have a conversation with God about this.
Silence.
Rest: Read the text a fourth time. Now sit in silence and just rest in the presence of God. No words are necessary. Just rest.
Silence.
Amen.
