The spirituality of the early church grew from Jesus’ teachings in the context of Hebrew worship. For many centuries the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches were guardians of these practices. But in recent times they have been adopted and adapted by Christians of many traditions.
Here are a few simple exercises you can try. Keep in mind, though, that the value of these exercises is not in the practice itself, but in the preparation it provides for drawing close to God through Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Lectio divina—lexcio, Latin for “reading”—carries with it the assumption that reading means listening.
When few books existed, written words were shared aloud with congregations, communities and families. Lectio divina, then, means reading God’s written word in order to hear what God has to say through it. This happens by means of a four-step method.
Lectio (reading) comes first and is often spoken aloud. This has the dual purpose of slowing the reader and giving the word more meaning by engaging lips, tongue, breath and ear. Since God is present in the word, it behoves us to approach our task of listening with faith, humility, openness and faithfulness. Then, by the power of God and the work of the Holy Spirit, we can receive the word which is read, several times, with pauses between each reading. Be open to receiving a word or phrase that will provide a focus for speaking and listening to God.
Meditatio (responding) involves thanking God for the “word” and, prayerfully considering what God means to communicate to you through that word. This is the time during which you may wish to journal your thoughts.
Oratio (reflecting) is the time when, after having written or spoken your thoughts to God, you wait with the Holy Spirit, listen to and dialogue with God. Some people use this stage as a time to engage in centering prayer. Set a timer or alarm for marking the end of this stage. By comparing your thoughts at this time with your thoughts from the meditatio you will see changes, subtle or significant, which have come about while you were listening to God.
Contemplatio (resting) the final stage, is resting in God. It is the way we carry God to the world. You may also find that after you leave, the remembrance of your word provides a passageway for God to bring to your attention prayer concerns which become a spiritual counterpoint to your physical tasks.
Centering Prayer (sometimes referred to as Christian meditation), can be part of the lectio divina or practised at other times, either individually or in a group.
Centering prayer in a group setting usually begins with a short invocation provided in writing and read aloud by all. This is followed by 20 minutes of silence. Next is a corporate prayer of intercession where individuals simply name those for whom they pray; after a name is spoken, the group repeats the name in unison. The prayer time ends with a benediction, read by everyone.
Twenty minutes of silence is not easy; the mind is not easily stilled. Participants are encouraged to be gentle with their mental wandering; to disengage from the distraction and quietly return to the word. When used outside of lectio divina, the word may be a name of God or a phrase such as “Come Lord” (Maranatha) or you can focus on your breathing.
The Jesus Prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner” has been preserved by the Eastern Orthodox tradition where it is referred to as the prayer of the heart.
It is prayed repetitively as a means of turning one’s thoughts and spirit toward God in order to experience the power of the divine name.
The Way of a Pilgrim, first published in Russia in 1881, is the story of a wandering pilgrim whose search for God was satisfied when he discovered the prayer of the heart. He began by reciting it, calmly, faithfully, 3,000 times a day. The following week the number was increased to 6,000. He continued this for a week and found that he missed it if he stopped praying even briefly. He then learned to say it 12,000 times a day and in the process discovered a transformed life, physically as well as spiritually.
Canadians who yearn to turn their lives more consistently toward God can use this same prayer as an alternative to radio or Bluetooth while driving, during wakeful hours of the night, when taking an elevator, vacuuming, or walking the dog. The possibilities for opening to God are endless.
Further Reading
- The Heart of Silence: Contemplative Prayer by Those Who Practise It by Paul T. Harris (editor)
- Praying the Scriptures: A Field Guide for Your Spiritual Journey by Evan B. Howard
- Listening Prayer: Learning to Hear God’s Voice and Keep a Prayer Journal by Leanne Payne
- Lectio Divina: Renewing the Ancient Practice of Praying the Scriptures by Basil M. Pennington
