Lectio Divina – Praying The Scripture (Divine Reading) – is an ancient practice of Christian prayer. Here is the process you can use with scripture, a poem, a song, or a reading.
Choose a few verses from scripture, a poem, or a reading and read it aloud three times. Listen for a different thing each time you read or hear the verses.
The first time, listen for the word or phrase that leaps out at you. What word or phrase calls to you or sticks in your memory? As you hear the word, gently take it into your heart and silently recite or ponder the word during one minute of silence. Take a moment to write this down in your journal.
The second time, meditate on the word or phrase that speaks to you. Let it interact with your thoughts, your hopes, your memories. Consider how the word or phrase is touching your life today. One minute of silence. Write in your journal.
The third time, consider how God is calling you forth into doing or being through the words. Allow God to use the words to touch you and shape you in your life today. One minute of silence. Write in your journal.
Let’s practice with the song:
It Is Well with My Soul
When peace like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say It is well, it is well, with my soul
It is well With my soul It is well, it is well with my soul
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, Let this blest assurance control, That Christ has regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed His own blood for my soul
It is well (it is well) With my soul (with my soul) It is well, it is well with my soul
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought My sin, not in part but the whole, Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, o my soul
It is well (it is well) With my soul (with my soul) It is well, it is well with my soul
It is well (it is well) With my soul (with my soul) It is well, it is well with my soul
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Philip Paul Bliss / Christopher C. C. Stafford
It Is Well with My Soul lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc, Universal Music Publishing Group, Music Sales Corporation