Unique Content Article: Lectio Divina Steps Help You Pray Better

<h2 class = 'uawtitle'>Lectio Divina Steps Help You Pray Better</h2><br />
<div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawbyline'>by John Arnold</div><br /><br />
<div class='uawarticle'>Are you wanting an easy to follow prayer method to help you pray better? Lectio divina, also know as "holy reading" or "divine reading" might be the solution you are looking for. Lectio divina has been an effective prayer method that has helped countless people deepen their pray lives since the 1500's.<br />
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At it's essence, lectio divina is all about prayerfully and attentively reading God's word. There are four lectio divina steps: Lectio, Meditatio, Oratio, and Contemplatio.<br />
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1) Lectio. You begin lectio divina by slowly and repeatedly reading a scripture text. Personally, I will read a passage three times. Each time I read it more slowly. You may want to jot down anything that tugs on your attention. Reading it out loud is another great way to make you slow down and be more attentive.<br />
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2) Meditatio. As the name implies, meditatio is a time of meditation. Meditation in this context is not like Eastern meditation of emptying your mind. Instead, in meditatio you ruminate on the text and ponder it deeply. You might ponder a word of phrase at length that you wrote down in your initial reading. Or, you you may imaginatively place yourself in the story, if you are reading something narrative from the bible. The key to meditation is to actively engage your mind with the text while listening for ways that it might meaningfully intersect your life.<br />
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3) Oratio. Oratio is the latin word at the root of words like oral and oratory. As you might guess this movement is about speaking to God. Oratio is a time for you to respond to God. Speak from your heart with God about the passage you read and any way it may have resonated with your life. For example, if it made you aware of a sin, confess that sin and commit to repenting. If the text comforted you, thank and praise God. Speak with God as sincerely and openly as you can, whatever the case may be. This is your response time to God from how you understand the text.<br />
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4) Contemplatio. Lastly, contemplatio is time for enjoying the presence of God with a heart full of gratitude. Conclude your prayer time by resting silently in God's presence. This is often times, the most difficult step of lectio divina for people because it is mainly about being with God rather doing something. Think of it as being similar to a parent who goes in at night and gazes lovingly at his or her sleeping child. The parent isn't really doing anything. He or she is just enjoying a peaceful moment. This peaceful focus of presence is what contemplatio is all about.<br />
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The real heart of lectio divina is just slowly reading, reflecting and responding to the text. So, don't over think the method or become legalistic. The four lectio divina steps are intended as sign posts to guide our time with God and in God's word.<br />
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Using lectio divina may take you some time to get use to, so stick to it for a couple of weeks before judging it's merits. In the beginning, you might be distracted by trying to follow the steps; however, this is normal and will quickly pass.<br />
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Lectio divina will likely help you pray better by helping you to slow down and spend more time in prayer. As well, lectio divina tends to bring a greater sense of dialogue to a person's time with God because a large part of the method is spent listening. May God bless you richly in other ways as you apply this prayer method.<br />
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About the Author:<br />
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<div class='uawlinks'>Want to know more about <a href='http://thepracticaldisciple.com/2009/08/praying-scripture-using-lectio-divina.html'>lectio divina steps</a>, then visit John Arnold's site. Or, go there for another great <a href='http://thepracticaldisciple.com/2010/11/benefits-of-using-a-prayer-model.html'>prayer model</a> just right for you.</div><br />
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New Unique Article!<br />
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Title: Lectio Divina Steps Help You Pray Better<br />
Author: John Arnold<br />
Email: revjohn1@gmail.com<br />
Keywords: lectio divina steps, lectio divina, prayer model, prayer instruction, pray better, spirituality, religion, faith<br />
Word Count: 594<br />
Category: Spirituality<br />
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