Lectio Divina (divine reading, pronounced lexio dahveena) is a way of immersing ourselves in a short passage of Scripture with the idea of allowing the Holy Spirit to draw our attention to what He wants us to know in that time. It is a practice that invites us to slow down and pay attention.

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Click here for an audio file that you can listen to. The text is below if you prefer to read aloud to yourself.

 

 

 

 

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Sit comfortably and come to stillness, allowing yourself to arrive here. Feet on the floor, muscles relaxed, posture open. Breathe deeply in, and hold for a beat, and exhale. Inhale and exhale, slowly, 2 or 3 more times. Inhale the love of God; exhale and release that which distracts you. 

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Now, on the first reading, allow the words to wash over you and notice which word or phrase stands out to you today. Read aloud, very slowly. There is no hurry here. 

 

 Psalm 23: 1-3 

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The Lord is my best friend and my shepherd.

I always have more than enough.

He offers a resting place for me in His luxurious love.

His tracks take me to an oasis of peace, the quiet brook of bliss.

That's where He restores and revives my life.

He opens before me pathways to God's pleasure

and leads me along in His footsteps of righteousness

so that I can bring honor to His name.

    (The Passion Translation)

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The second time you read this passage aloud, allow the word or phrase that stood out to you to linger in your mind, pausing if you need to, to notice how it relates to your life right now. Again, read slowly, and breathe.

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The third time you read this passage aloud, listen for God's invitation to you and notice your response to Him. You may pause here to converse with God and/or journal about your experience with Him.

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Finally, as you read the passage a fourth time, allow yourself to rest in the Word of God, softened and yielded to Him. Simple presence, gratitude, or something completely your own may be how you end this time. 

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