Lectio Divina and Contemplative Prayer
Mother Anne Clarke, Abbess OSB, Malling Abbey
Lectio Divina and Contemplative Prayer are intimately related and maybe the whole process can best be called “Praying the Word”. The prayer of early Christians was constantly fed by scripture and their reading was oriented to deepening their relationship with God. In our sessions together we will support one another in a prayerful listening to God’s word, leading into a time of silent prayer together. This is not a time for exerting intellectual or imaginative effort but of being quietly receptive, allowing the words themselves to soak into us. Over time (a lifetime!) God’s word will become part of our mental furniture, shaping our behaviour and our thinking. This is not a process for instant gratification or consolation, although there are times when the text may come vibrantly alive to us. It is rather good, wholesome sustenance for our journey to God–not always very exciting but without which our spiritual health will suffer.
Preparation For Lectio Divina
We need to bring our whole selves to Lectio Divina–our bodies in particular can easily be ignored so some simple physical exercises are a help in preparation. Stand up (or sit if that is easier for you) and stretch, feel where your body is tight, shake your arms and legs, simply let yourself move as your body needs.
Then stand (or sit) quietly with your hands held open and receptive in front of you. Feel your breath rising and falling in your chest, feel your feet on the ground. In the silence and stillness open to God's presence with you, let your open hands be your prayer for the gift of God's spirit. This posture (the “orans” posture) is the traditional Christian posture for prayer and links us with the early Church and with our sisters and brothers of the Eastern Orthodox Churches who still pray in this way.
Now sit down, relaxed but alert, ready to receive God's word.
A Simple Three-step Guide to Lectio Divina
This is the process we will follow in our sessions together and is a simple way in to attentive, open-hearted listening to God’s word. Read the passage through slowly at each step, preferably aloud or quietly under your breath, holding the given question in mind. Allow plenty of time to rest in the Word and allow its meaning for you to emerge.
- What is the Word that is addressed to you? What word, phrase or image attracts your attention?
How is your life touched? What does this word, phrase or image mean for you? What does it remind you of? Why might you be drawn to it?
Is there an invitation or challenge here for you? Listen, and then respond in prayer in whatever way seems appropriate.
Into Contemplative Prayer
As you come to the end of your time of lectio allow yourself to rest silently in God’s presence, letting go any “thinking about” the word you have been drawn to. Let your silence be a surrender to God’s presence and if your mind wanders use the word or phrase that you were drawn to as an anchor to draw you back to silence. Silently repeat the word as a way to focus your intent to allow God to work in your heart.
Seven Principles of Lectio Divina
The following is based on Michael Casey’s essay of the same name in his book “The Undivided Heart”. I find these principles helpful in keeping my personal practice of Lectio Divina focussed.
It should expose our lives to the fullness of revelation and not simply to that which presently appeals to us. Choosing a book of the Bible and staying with it from beginning to end or using readings from a lectionary prevents us picking and choosing (although the latter is itself selective so it is limiting in the long term). It need not be a Biblical text but choose texts that you can trust so that you can relax your critical faculties and allow the word to speak to your heart.
Lectio Divina is not a source of immediate gratification but rather a general provisioning for life. It is our basic source of energy, like regular, healthy meals for our spirits.
The aim of our reading is to hear the call of God clearly and concretely in our present situation, gradually taking on the attitude and values of our master. We need to set aside our own beliefs and plans and be responsive to God’s call rather than looking for texts that reinforce our prejudices.
It should enable us to interpret our current life experience in the light of God’s word. We come as we are with our joys and sorrows, our good parts and our bad.
There is a certain purposelessness or gratuity about the process, reflected in the leisure and peace that should surround it. It is done in such a way that it can be punctuated by prayer. There is nothing particular to achieve. Allow space for God’s grace to flow.
Our whole body should participate. We need to choose a posture and place in which we can be alert but relaxed. It is helpful to deliberately choose a different posture and place from the one you use for study or work. We are creating a sacred space in which we meet with God.
When something is encountered which particularly speaks to us we should endeavour to retain it in our memory lest any of its savour escape us. We could write it out and keep it before us for a few days, and use it for the basis of prayer. At odd moments through the day return to these words and allow them to infuse the whole of our life.
Further Reading
There are many books on Lectio Divina and contemplative prayer but here are some I have found particularly helpful:
Thelma Hall, “Too Deep for Words – Rediscovering Lectio Divina” (1988) – a classic introduction to Lectio Divina that has stood the test of time.
Michael Casey, “The Art of Sacred Reading” (1996) – he describes this as a “post-graduate” book which goes into issues that arise as you commit to the practice of lectio over the long haul. But in doing this he revisits the basics in an accessible way so it is also a useful book for a beginner. He writes from a Roman Catholic perspective, picking up the call of the Second Vatican Council to “return to the sources” but has much to say to us, whatever our tradition.
Thomas Keating, “Open Mind, Open Heart – The Contemplative Dimension of the Gospel” – the classic introduction to Centering Prayer. He wrote many more books that explore and develop the practice.
Cynthia Bourgeault: “The Wisdom Jesus: Transforming Heart and Mind – A New Perspective on Christ and His Message” (2008) – an interesting and fresh take on the Gospels. She provides useful introductions to various Christian contemplative practices including Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina. See also her books “Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening” and “The Wisdom Way of Knowing: Reclaiming an Ancient Tradition to Awaken the Heart”.
Bonnie Thurston: “For God Alone: A Primer on Prayer” – an excellent introduction to prayer in the Christian tradition including chapters on Lectio Divina and praying with the body.
© The Benedictine Community at Malling Abbey 2025