Praying Scripture for a Change: An Introduction to Lectio Divina

Professor Gray has a nice collection of important classic insights into the practice of Lectio Divina that should significantly help the beginner. I was especially thankful for his emphasis on the need in prayer to apply ones mind to scripture, and for his use of quotes from St.Paul to back this up. He is very convincing and leaves a lasting mark.Dr.Gray has a really fine appreciation of what is good and his knowledge of scripture and Catholic writers is solid, particularly in his quotes. Besides his own take on what Lectio Divina is he has quotes of the monk who first defined it; and that monk rendered it beautifully. Professor Gray more pedantic expression lets the monks rendition do its work. In addition he throws in Benedict XVI description of Lectio Divina, which is a pretty good one.However I think there are better ways to approach the spirit of prayer. One specific criticism I have is the example he gives of how Lectio Divina works. well, it is rather a mechanically brilliant connecting of dots by the imagination, so you can imagine, it is rather hard to accept as a generic example. Still it is a beautiful lesson on how to integrate one's reading of the bible to make a unified sense of it.I must let one three star reviewer know that I get what he senses about the book and I respect it but that his innate hostility is palpable and unreasonable. Those I call souls who "seek after the rudiments of the how and why's of praying over scripture" and who also want a modest amount of encouragement and assistance along the way will find this book helpfulOne reviewer has a muddled understanding of what Lectio Divina is. It is an experiencing God's love in and of itself as a trans-formative and life altering experience for the person towards holiness, 'It is a work done through submission to the actions of God's Holy Spirit, and not, as Dr. Gray correctly and clearly points out, by our own work.' It is not a work of our intellect nor meant as a means of discovering fuel for arguments.Theological thought is misplaced if you apply that to Lectio Divina as if it were the standard after which you strive for as the product of the prayer. Trying to do so, and especially ever making this the object to be sought in prayer, is futile and doomed to failure. It is well known and accepted wisdom that prayer when experienced in the fullest is the experience of deep and profound contemplation that is way beyond the capacity of words to describe or make accessible.Let us be clear: This encounter of God experienced in Lectio Divina is what St. Thomas Aquinas, the great doctor of Philosophy and Theology of the Church, had which caused him to think of his written works as being not much more than some measure of hay most worthy of being used to make a fire. It has nothing to do with the operations of theology. It is a burning in the soul for love of God that God ignites by His love through meditation on His word, His revelation. This is the matter, the object, of Lectio Divina, that which it loads and unpacks for each of us now in the realm of the spirit according to God's desire and that of our souls for love of Him. I personally endorse this book as an aid for those struggling in the early stages of a prayer that is meant to be joined to Bible faith; since the book is aimed to especially serve Catholics it reminds Catholics that all which derive from this encounter must be rooted in the teachings of the Church. It has quotes from the new universal Catholic Catechism, and the book itself has received the imprimatur of the Church.I further recommend the book "Time For God" by Jacques Philippe as a further and necessary aid to help one better apply oneself to this principle work of God that God desires of his finest creation, man-- what is prayer and mystical union with Him. We of the modern America want things in small bites. These two book do this well.The stout of heart should also expect to in time be casually led more deeply into the matter as it is found in the works of Theresa of Avila, John of the Cross, the book "The Cloud of Unknowing"; and to St. Ignatius' take on spiritual discernment that is carefully and in detail expressed in Fr. Timothy M. Gallagher's book "The Discernment of Spirits", St. Francis De Sales "An Introduction to the Devout Life" and the works on prayer and discernment by Fr. Thomas H. Green, especially his book on discernment "Weeds Among Wheat" .Why should a Christian learn and practice spiritual discernment? Because the application of spiritual discernment, discerning what is from God and what is not in one inspirations, motivations, and satisfactions, is a must for building up a true one-on-one communion in all one does with Jesus Christ, The Holy Ghost, and Our Father, The Lord God.copyright: Kenneth E Hertz

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This is the way to do your daily prayer time, and devotional. I wish I would have learned this years ago. Too often we rely on other people's personal Scriptural devotions, and try to apply them to our own life. But in that way, what we are getting is the fruit of someone else's hard earned personal time with God, and what Jesus is saying to them. But what does Jesus want to say to Me personally, today through His word?Also, many modern devotionals are written specifically for the purpose of being a "catch-all" devotional. You will hear folks say, "Wow, this devotional always speaks to my situation". That's because they are designed to. Kind of like the principle behind a horoscope or fortune cookie - it doesn't matter who reads it, or when you read it, it will apply. In addition, with only a selection of Scripture one misses out on most of the Holy Bible, and repeats the same devotion year after year. Consequently, this is why we rarely stick to one devotional for very long, and keep searching for a better one. Well, we have God's Holy Words, The Sacred Scriptures. That's what the devotional writers are basing their devotions on anyway.Admittedly, there is a place for good orthodox "secondhand" Scriptural devotionals. New Christians can greatly benefit from them because they need the milk of the Faith. But those of us who have been following Our Lord for a good amount of time and want to mature quickly need to push ourselves and get meat. To put out into the deep.I think new Christian should at least be learning this way of personal devotions while using the other, and move on as soon a possible.Dr Gray does a masterful job of handing on this ancient way of praying the Scriptures to a modern audience.Dr Gray also offers this book as a DVD course through the Augustine Institute.The perfect devotional has always been right next to me. I'm going to spend my own time with Our Lord.

Perfect starter book for mental prayer

I have been searching for more guidance in my spiritual journey and heard of Lectio Divina while watching Mass on EWTN. The author has a wonderful way of explaining what Lectio Divina is and how it is a way to help on our spiritual journey. I would highly recommend it for those who are searching to grow spiritually.

The physical book came in prime condition, which is an understatement considering it was delivered to me in the Philippines. The book succinctly outlines the method of lectio divina. It's examples and guides have improved my prayer life.

I found this book to be the best I've read on Lectio divina. I just I have already been putting the first two into practice without realizing it, and sometimes the 3rd step, but I haven't gotten to the fourth step. This book was helpful to me in understanding contemplation better.

The priest teaching a Lectio Divina class at my church recommended this book, and I'm glad he did. It was an excellent accompaniment to the class. I pray a lot, but I'm afraid I do more talking than listening to God. Lectio divina, "divine reading," is a disciplined way of reading, meditating, and contemplating Scripture to be open to God. The first step, or rung on the ladder as the author describes it, is to silence yourself--often easier said than done. The book is written from a Catholic viewpoint, but it could be helpful to Christians of any denomination.

I was turned on to this book by the seminarians and priests who run the podcast "Catholic Stuff You Should Know". This book is written by their professor and they strongly encouraged everyone to read it.This book is nothing short of *AMAZING* Until now I have never really known how to read the Bible, let alone pray the Bible. It's an easy read and it is incredible. You won't regret picking up this book!

A satisfying read...good to keep learning new ways of worship & understanding of God's Word..