Just wanted to know if anyone is familiar with the Lectio Divina (sacred reading) method of devotional Bible reading? From what I have read, it seems pretty solid. Curious if anyone here has tried it. Also, has anyone any input on the 24-7 prayer movement? Have heard some phenomenal things. Appreciate your input. 8-)
Hi everlastFrom what I read on the web, Lectio Divina is a systme of meditation using the Bible or other religious text as the basis for the meditation. It seems to have links with monastic orders and, from an admittedly superficial trawl of the web, it sounds more like the eastern meditation patterns of transcendental meditation than genuine biblical meditition.If you are new to the idea of Biblical Meditation I would recommend that you start with Campbell McAlpine's book on the topic.
From what I understand there are four steps:Lectio (reading): Choose a passage from Scripture to read, read the section of Scripture slowly, perhaps even out loud...repeatedly. One book I read suggested for 10 minutes, but to proceed as you wish.Meditatio(meditation): What phrase or key word stands out to you from the reading? What emotions does it invoke, how do you feel...think about the deeper meaning of the text. What is God trying to speak through His living word through the text?Oratio (talk) or prayer: Ask God to give you an understanding of the text, converse with God as to the meaning of what He is speaking to you and what you feel and think about it. Contemplatio (think, live): After realizing what it is that God has spoken to you...learning how to apply it to your life and living it out. This is only a VERY VERY brief writing of the basic concept. The book "Read, Think, Pray, Live" does an excellent job of explaining it. It seems if you take the proper approach, it could be a very good way of reading the Bible in a devotional manner.
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