How to Pray with Scripture: The RAP Method by Fr. Rich Conlin

The RAP Method is my personal way to pray with Scripture. Traditionally called lectio divina, which means “divine reading” in Latin, the RAP method is a “lectio divina for beginners” based on three simple steps: Read, Ask, Pray.

Start by reading a passage of Scripture, such as the Gospel for today’s Mass. Since “the word of God is alive and active” (Hebrews 4:12), read the passage expecting a sentence, phrase, or word to stand out, as if Jesus is alive and actively speaking to you.

Pro Tip: “Give a TED talk before you RAP.” If you struggle to feel like the word of God is alive and active when you read, try to first share your Thoughts, Emotions, and Desires (TED) with Jesus. This preparatory step opens your heart to receive more personally the “one thing” Jesus wants to share to you, often addressing one of the thoughts, emotions, or desires you shared with Him in your TED talk.

After reading, ask: “What’s your ‘one thing’?” The phrase “one thing” is in quotation marks because Jesus said to Martha that “only one thing was needed” (Luke 10:42). What was it? Mary, listening to Jesus speak to her heart. Therefore, your “one thing” is one sentence, phrase, or word that stands out as Jesus’ message to your heart.

Pro Tip: “What’s your ‘one thing’?” If distractions arise at any point of praying with Scripture, refocus by asking, “What’s your ‘one thing’?” This question helps shift your mind from the “many things” that distract you back to the “one thing” Jesus is inviting you to receive.

The final step is to pray, that is, to have a heart-to-Heart conversation with Jesus about your “one thing.” Speak openly to Jesus about your “one thing,” just as you would with a close friend who knows you very well and listens with great care and attention.

Pro Tip: “Roll Up the RIM to Win.” If having a heart-to-Heart conversation on your “one thing” seems challenging, consider how it connects to these areas:

Relationship: Does your “one thing” inspire you to improve your relationship with Jesus and others?
Identity: Does your “one thing” reveal something about who Jesus is (Good Shepherd, Divine Physician, Friend) or remind you of your true identity in God’s eyes—loved, forgiven, chosen, called?
Mission: How does your “one thing” connect to your mission and purpose? How might it clarify your broader vocation in life or guide you in your daily mission as a disciple of Christ?

Often, your “one thing” will speak more deeply to one of these three areas—Relationship, Identity, or Mission. That’s a good sign of where Jesus wants you to focus your heart-to-Heart conversation with Him, and what it means to truly “win” in our heart-to-Heart conversation with Jesus.

The “One Thing” Challenge is based on reading daily Gospel and choosing “one thing.” If someone asks, “What’s your ‘one thing’?” and you forget, you owe them $1!

This practice embodies the heart of the contemplative life. St. Francis de Sales said: “Contemplation is nothing else than a mental attitude of loving, simple, persistent attention to holy things.” St. Francis encourages us to focus on the “one thing” Jesus gives us each day, rather than get distracted and worried about the “many things.”

To cultivate this habit, pause at various points throughout your day—during meals, between tasks, or whenever you have a moment—to ask yourself, “What’s your ‘one thing’?” Each time you revisit this question, you refocus your heart on Jesus, allowing His message to guide and influence your actions, decisions, and attitudes.