My Favorite Way to Pray with Scripture
Lectio Divina, recent & current reads, and what's coming in 2025
I discovered Lectio Divina when I was in college. This form of prayer is what began my relationship with Jesus — something I didn’t even know was possible. “Lectio Divina” is Latin for “divine reading”. “As one reads and invites the Word to become a transforming lens that brings the events of daily living into focus, one can come to live more deeply and find the presence of God more readily in the events of each day.”1
There are four steps to this form of prayer:
Reading - Choose a small section of scripture, not a large chunk. If you don’t know what to read, pick one of the daily readings. Read the scripture multiple times. As you read, focus on a word or phrase that stands out. If nothing stands out initially, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you to the word or phrase that He wants you to focus on. “The early monks understood that the fruitfulness of a monk’s prayer depends upon the simplicity, reverence, and openness to the Spirit with which the “reader” approaches the Word of God.”2
Meditation - “Ancient monks explained this process as a deep, unhurried thinking about the Word one has read—a rumination”.3 Reflect on the scripture you have read. The Catechism of the Catholic Church talks about meditation this way: "Meditation engages thought, imagination, emotion, and desire. This mobilization of faculties is necessary in order to deepen our convictions of faith, prompt the conversion of our heart, and strengthen our will to follow Christ. Christian prayer tries above all to meditate on the mysteries of Christ, as in lectio divina or the rosary. This form of prayerful reflection is of great value, but Christian prayer should go further: to the knowledge of the love of the Lord Jesus, to union with him.”4
Contemplation - “Contemplation is characterized by an openness of the heart, by which the reader experiences God as the One who prays within, who allows the person in contemplation to know the Word wordlessly and without image.”5 During this step, ask for the grace to connect what you’ve reflected on in scripture to your day-to-day life. Maybe there is a specific event that keeps coming to mind, or something more general, like a sinful habit.
Prayer - During this step, “[o]ne takes the time to talk to God about what was read, heard, or experienced, or about the questions that have arisen in the depth of one’s being. This response can become transformative when one accepts the promptings of the Word toward an embrace of all that life now holds.”6 Often, during this step, I recognize something in myself that God is asking me to change. He always provides encouragement. Rather than feeling like a failure in these moments, I feel refreshed. Jesus is gentle and merciful. For that, I am grateful.
Some Things I’ve Been Reading
Hunt, Gather, Parent by Michaeleen Doucleff - I’m not one to read parenting books. I find it more helpful to read about child brain development, since that would be relatively the same for all children. However, this book pleasantly surprised me. I enjoyed learning about how other communities parent around the world, and have started applying some of the basic ideas in our home. Things have truly gotten more peaceful around here! While there were certain things that I disagreed with in the books, many of the general ideas (allowing and encouraging kids to help, autonomy, and never yelling) were convicting because of the witness the author shares. The author is a great storyteller, offers her own personal experience, and gives practical advice for application of the different parenting principles.
St. Anselm’s Proslogion - This was one of those books (it’s more of an essay, honestly) that felt elusive. It speaks of the existence of God, which is not something that can be fully grasped by the human mind. I enjoyed what St. Anselm shared, but I could never say I understood it all.
What’s Coming in 2025?
A 7-part Women’s Bible Study for paid subscribers! Part one will go out in January, and subsequent parts will go out biweekly. I plan to continue posting in my typical style (free long-form essays on specific topics) on the alternating weeks, dependent on the needs of my family! The Bible Study pairs Bible stories where Jesus interacts with women and pieces from Mulieris Dignitatem by St. John Paul II. I will include my own thoughts/reflections, along with a printable version that can be used with your own group.
Thank you for reading The Gentle Nudge! This will be my last post for the year, so I pray that you all have a Merry Christmas!
Ibid.
Ibid.
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2708
Ibid.
Hi, Victoria! First, I'm so sorry for the pain you have experienced because of infertility. You're right that I've never felt what you've felt, and I don't claim to fully understand. I do address this in the post. Since you've commented on a different post than the one I've written on IVF, did you read the full post? (If not, I can comment a link for you to find it quickly.) I would think on reading it, one would see that it is not simple.
There are some teachings of the Church that are hard to accept. She only teaches them out of love for us! Jesus weeps with you in your sorrow.
I'll be praying for you!
I am 75 yrs old . I went through many IVF procedures in order to have a child. This was in the early 80's long before I knew it was a mortal sin. Since you've never been infertile you have no idea how overwhelming the desire to have a child is. My mother on her death bed advised me to adopt . Those words were from the Holy Spirit . I immediately gave up my. 8 yr search for any and all methods to have a child.
My greatest blessing in this life has been my two beautiful children .
I thank God for them everyday.
I am reluctant to view IVF as treating children as a commodity . It is simply a way to facilitate getting pregnant using your eggs and your husbands sperm. My intent was wholly innocent and born of a great desire to have children.
I've confessed my many infertility sins , but still find it impossible to see IVG as evil. God saw my desire and fulfilled it through adoption - thank God!
I am disappointed that many infertile women would read your article and feel sinful - simply by desperately wanting children.