In Christianity, Lectio Divina (Latin for
divine reading) is a traditional Benedictine
practice of scriptural reading, meditation and prayer
intended to promote communion with God and to increase the knowledge of God's Word. It does not treat
Scripture as texts to be studied, but as the Living Word.
Lectio Divina has 4 separate steps: read, meditate, pray and contemplate. First a passage of Scripture is read, then its meaning is reflected
upon. This is followed by prayer and contemplation on the Word of God.
For example, given
Jesus' statement in John 14:27: "Peace I leave
with you; my peace I give unto you" in Lectio Divina rather than "dissecting peace", the
practitioner "enters peace"
and shares in the peace of Christ.
