“My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

This is a promise from Jesus. Praying daily with the Word of God is a way to hear the voice of God every day of our lives. Lectio Divina is an ancient practice of prayerfully reading the Bible and asking ourselves not only, “What is the Word of God saying?” but “What is the Word of God saying to me?” When the saints read the scriptures, they did not think they were overhearing a conversation so much as they believed that the Word of God was being addressed to them. Lectio Divina allows us to have that kind of engagement with the Bible. Always begin your reading of the scriptures with prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart. Then proceed with the following four steps:

Lectio (reading)

What does the Word say in itself?

Read your selected passage of scripture thoroughly, taking mental note of words or phrases that stand out to you. Familiarize yourself with the passage at its surface.

Meditatio (meditating)

What does the Word say to me?

Read your selected passage of scripture again. Allow the Holy Spirit to bring to mind memories from your own life, and imagine yourself experiencing what you are reading. Try not to study the passage, but let the Lord nudge you to what He is trying to say.

Oratio (praying)

What do I say to God in response?

Read your selected passage of scripture for a third time. Respond to what God is saying to you. Bring Him your prayer, fears, anxieties, joys, hopes, sorrows, and wants.

Contemplatio (contemplating)

What grace is God offering to me?

Read your selected passage a final time, and sit quietly with the Lord. Encounter Him, be transformed by Him, and accept the graces He offers you. If your mind starts to wander, try to bring yourself back to peaceful silence.

Engaging the Word of God can radically change our lives.

Here are a few bible resources to help you bear more fruit from your reading of scripture.

Pray with the Church:

• Read the daily readings from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
• Order a Magnificat prayer book, which includes daily readings and a reflection.

Browse bible studies, Lectio Divina resources, and other tools for understanding scripture. 

View the bible Refresher for Catholics: get the Bible’s big picture, along with a uniquely Catholic approach to the Scriptures, in 5-minute video segments with Mark Hart (“The Bible Geek”) and Kevin Saunders (AZ Bible Scholar).

How regularly do you read the bible? And how often do you hear God speaking to you through scripture?

Take the survey here!