Lectio Divina

An Excerpt From Life With God By Richard J. Foster with Kathryn A. Helmers as posted (excerpt) by Courtney Cohen, Renovaré December 2010 Devotional (Facebook)

“I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you.” –
Ephesians 1:16-18


“Distinct from other ways of approaching the Bible, the ancient Christian practice of *lectio divina* (spiritual reading) is the primary mode of reading the Bible for transformation. There is a place for reading large portions of the Bible in one sitting, such as an entire book, but this is not it. Here we are concerned with depth rather than breadth. There is also a place for Bible study, in which we apply exegetical tools of interpretation, but this is not ‘study’ per se. Rather, *lectio* is a way of allowing the mind to ‘descend’ into the heart, so that both mind and heart might be drawn into the love and goodness of God. Our goal is immersion . . . In its classic form, *lectio* comprises four elements . . . listening, reflecting, praying, and obeying. When these elements are combined . . . they lead the human spirit into a dynamic interaction with the Holy Spirit . . . When we continually attempt to make the Bible serve our own agendas – and in doing so, distance ourselves from God – *lectio divina* is a way of recovering our ability to be attentive to the heart of God in the Word of God.”

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