Customer Reviews

Lectio Divina: Renewing the Ancient Practice of Praying the Scriptures

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This is a wonderful book to introductory Lectio, as is the aforementioned (prior post) book by Thelma Hall, "Too Deep for Words". I was able to get both at my public library, but will be purchasing a used copy of Pennington's, for my library. His work is an "informative and practical guidebook for today's Christian" written in a way that stirred my soul to begin practicing Lectio Divina (a "method" to reading Scripture or spiritual works). Lectio is a personal, spiritual time with the Lord thru His Word. The author speaks of taking the "word of life" that He (God) gives you through your daily "lectio" (devotional reading), and carrying this "word" (this can be literally a single word, or a phrase) throughout the day, to commune with our loving Father, one on one. "Receiving a word of life is the essence of Lectio Divina" he writes. "True lectio is taking what the Bible says, to heart."

Using lectio, one first reads (lectio), then reflects (meditates), then responds (prayer), then rests (contemplation) on the word or verse(s).
All reading should end in an action taken for others' sakes. And in doing so, your life changes.

I have done Bible study (INformational) for years...Lectio is TRANSformational, or spiritually formational...it's amazing...and this book is a great start, as well as researching Lectio Divina online.

Receive, reflect, respond...but first, read this book!

I think a lot of people, like me, would order and read this book simply because of the author. But, of all the books on lectio that I've read this was probably my least favorite. There are many other authors who give a much better explanation of lectio that is much more concise and relevant than this book. At times the book seemed to wander and I found references that did nothing to help me better appreciate this ancient prayer form. Basil Pennington has written far better books than this one.

I find Thelma Hall's Too Deep for Words a much better short introduction to lectio divina.