Summary of Praying Scripture for a Change: An Introduction to Lectio Divina by Dr. Tim Gray

Introduction: The Problem of Prayer

C.S. Lewis once wrote, “Well, let’s now at any rate come clean. Prayer is irksome. An excuse to omit it is never unwelcome. When it is over, this casts a feeling of relief and holiday over the rest of the day. We are reluctant to begin. We are delighted to finish. While we are at prayer, but not while we are reading a novel or solving a crossword puzzle, any trifle is enough to distract us. And we know that we are not alone in this.” This quote resonates with many, illustrating the struggle that even the most devout believers face when trying to maintain a consistent prayer life. However, despite our limitations and uncertainties about how to pray, we are never abandoned in this pursuit. Scripture assures us that God Himself teaches us how to pray, drawing us through the promptings of the Holy Spirit and empowering us by His grace (see Rom 8:26).

Chapter 1: The Secret of the Saints

The saints discovered a profound truth: God speaks to us through Scripture. As St. Cyprian emphasized, “Diligently practice prayer and lectio divina. When you pray, you speak to God; when you read, God speaks to you.” This approach to prayer, known as lectio divina (divine reading), allows us to engage in a two-way conversation with God. Dr. Gray explains that you don’t need a mystical experience to hear God; simply picking up the Bible and reading allows God’s living and active Word to speak directly to your heart (see Heb 4:12, Rom 15:4, 1 Cor 10:11).

Chapter 2: Lectio Divina – Stairway to Heaven

Lectio divina is more than just reading Scripture; it is a transformative journey. Guigo, a Carthusian monk, described four steps: lectio (reading), meditatio (meditation), oratio (prayer), and contemplatio (contemplation), likening the process to climbing a ladder to heaven. Each step brings us closer to God, with the ultimate goal of tasting the fruits of divine contemplation. As Dr. Gray aptly puts it, “We shouldn’t expect instant contemplation any more than we would expect to walk into a vineyard and out the other side with a fine Cabernet Sauvignon.” Prayer, like wine, requires careful cultivation.

Dr. Gray compares the process of lectio divina to winemaking:

• Lectio: Picking the grapes, carefully selecting the words of Scripture.
• Meditatio: Squeezing the grapes, extracting the meaning.
• Oratio: Allowing the juice to ferment, letting prayer deepen over time.
• Contemplatio: Enjoying the wine, resting in God’s presence.

“We cannot keep this potent method bottled up and stored in the ancient wine cellars of the Church’s traditions. It is time to uncork the power of prayer in our daily lives” (Dr. Gray).

Chapter 3: Lectio

Reading Scripture well is the first step in lectio divina. Dr. Gray advises that we take our time, practice regularly, and pay attention to every detail in the text. He encourages us to approach Scripture with the same care and attention that one would give to a fine wine, allowing its rich taste to unfold slowly over time. Pope Benedict XVI emphasized this when he said, “Lectio divina consists in pouring over a biblical text, reading it and rereading it, as it were, ‘ruminating’ on it and squeezing from it all its ‘juice,’ so that it may nourish meditation and contemplation.”

Chapter 4: Meditatio

Christian meditation, unlike secular techniques aimed at emptying the mind, seeks to fill the intellect with the Word of God. This step involves reflecting deeply on the passage, asking “why” and seeking to understand God’s message. Dr. Gray notes that meditation should not rush through ideas but should dwell on those that stir the heart, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide the process. This stage is about moving from the head to the heart, engaging both mind and spirit in a deeper understanding of God’s Word.

Chapter 5: Oratio

Oratio is the stage where we begin to converse with God about what we have discovered in Scripture. This is where prayer becomes a dialogue, as we wrestle with our thoughts, fears, and desires in the light of God’s truth. Dr. Gray reminds us that the expectation behind lectio divina is radical: we believe that God will speak to us personally.

Chapter 6: Contemplatio

Contemplation, described by Guigo the Carthusian as the moment when “contemplation inebriates the thirsting soul with the dew of heavenly sweetness,” is the fruit of our prayerful labor. Dr. Gray likens contemplation to a “gaze of love” where all the effort of the previous steps gives way to a simple, loving awareness of God’s presence. Contemplation is less about doing and more about being, a resting in God that is both a gift from Him and a result of our openness to His Spirit.

Chapter 7: Operatio

The final step, operatio, emphasizes putting the Word of God into action. As St. James exhorts, “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22). Dr. Gray encourages us to write down our daily resolutions and review them, ensuring that the fruits of our lectio divina translate into concrete deeds of love and service.

Additional Steps:

• Collatio: Discussion in a group setting, sharing insights from Scripture.
• Statio: Creating a quiet, prayerful space for engaging with Scripture.

This guide to lectio divina by Dr. Tim Gray offers a practical, step-by-step approach to deepening your prayer life through Scripture, transforming the ancient practice into a living, vibrant part of your daily spiritual journey.