Lit. “Divine Reading”

 

A slow, prayerful reading of Scripture for the purpose of communion with God rather than simply “study” or gaining information. 

 

First movement: Lectio (“reading”)

A slow, deliberate, repetitive reading of the biblical text. 

 

Second Movement: Meditatio (meditation) 

Reflecting upon, repeating, savouring, digesting the words. 

 

Third Movement: Oratio (prayer) 

We pray the Scripture – for understanding, for promises fulfilled, for God to respond, etc.

 

Fourth Movement: Contemplatio (contemplation) 

Resting in God’s presence in silence, reflecting on who He is and what He has spoken.

 

Use the following scripture verse & work your way through the 4 movements of Lectio Divina. Don’t rush it, try to utilize at least 15-20 minutes for this prayer exercise.

Colossians 1:15-22

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

 

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation