5 Ways to Deepen Your Lectio Divina Practice

reflection by Ashley Brooks

Lectio Divina is a traditional form of contemplative prayer that invites us more deeply into scripture. It’s not a formal Bible study, but a way for God to speak directly to our hearts in an individual way using these ancient words. 

The core steps of Lectio Divina are

1. Read or listen to a scripture passage. 

2. Notice a word or phrase that feels significant to you. Reflect on its meaning for you.

3. Respond to God after listening to the passage a second time.

4. Rest in God, without the need for conscious reflection; simply be.

5. Go forth, carrying your Lectio Divina experience with you as you move through the world.

Lectio Divina is a beautiful practice on its own, but people who practice it regularly may be ready to move deeper into this prayer, exploring it in new ways. If a particular word or phrase has come alive for you in Lectio Divina, consider letting it continue to unfold in new ways. If you feel called, we invite you to try these ideas for deepening your Lectio Divina practice.  

Intention

A simple way to carry your Lectio practice with you throughout the day is to use your word or phrase as an intention. When you have a quiet moment in your day, when you feel overwhelmed, when you experience strong emotions, try holding your word or phrase in your mind. If this feels odd to you, it may help to hold a small physical object like a stone. Imagine the stone as your word, turning it over and over in your hand as your mind meditates on the word itself.

Remember what it meant to you when you prayed the Lectio Divina. What is that word saying to you now? Has its meaning changed or expanded to meet you in this present moment? Is there an invitation to live out this word where you are right now?

Poetry

Poetry can be a beautiful expression of what’s on your heart. Take your word or phrase from Lectio Divina and try your hand at writing a poem with it. Maybe it’s a short haiku that includes the word itself, or maybe it’s a longer poem or song lyrics that express the significance of this word in your life. You could even try an erasure poem using the text of the scripture you prayed with during Lectio.

Notice how it feels to create alongside the Creator. How did this exercise deepen or change your understanding of what God is speaking to you?

One-Line-a-Day Journal

For those who have a regular habit of praying the Lectio Divina, a one-line-a-day journal can be an interesting way to recognize God’s movement in your life through this prayer. These unique journals are designed to encourage reflection and bring patterns to light. Each page offers space for writing one line about your day for five successive years, so that when you write on April 5, 2026, you’ll revisit that entry when you write on April 5, 2027, and so on.

For this practice, you could write down the Lectio word or phrase itself, or you may want to briefly say more about why it was meaningful. Over time, you’ll be looking back upon years of prayer on one page, opening an invitation to see the ways God has moved in you throughout time.

Centering Prayer

This simple practice extends the Meditatio (noticing) portion of Lectio Divina. Here, you’re invited to set a timer and enter into contemplative centering prayer for a longer period of time, using your Lectio word or phrase as your focus. Gently direct your thoughts toward your centering word or phrase. Notice how you feel in your heart, spirit, and body as you enter into deeper reflection with this piece of scripture.

Collage

Visual art can open us to different ways of experiencing prayer and scripture. Creating a collage around your Lectio experience can help you deepen your understanding as well as more fully express a response back to God. Gather supplies such as old magazines or picture books, wallpaper samples, mailers or postcards with interesting colors or textures, fabric scraps . . . the sky is the limit! Begin placing them together, experimenting with shapes, colors, and texture. Move things around; don’t aim for perfection. 

As you explore this creative prayer practice, notice what is emerging in you. Has playing with visual expression changed the way you feel about your word or phrase? Did it change the way you offered your Lectio word back to God? 

Opportunities to Deepen Your Inner Life

Our mission at Sacred Ground is to continue providing spiritual enrichment opportunities for seekers who wish to explore their spirituality in a deeper way. Your presence in our community is a wonderful gift! We would love for you to join us at an upcoming Sacred Ground event. 

Our next Spiritual Director Development Series is coming up on Monday, March 23, featuring Diane Millis speaking on Into the Interior. Join us to learn about her framework for “listening with the ear of our hearts.” Learn more and register here. 

Sacred Ground is able to offer spiritually enriching programming thanks to generous donations from our supporters. Help us continue making transformative tools like this available to spiritual seekers by making a donation today.