Praying Scripture for a Change: An Introduction to Lectio Divina [Paperback]

Tim Gray (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 12, 2009

Many Christians find prayer difficult and, as a result, do not do much of it. The fact is, many simply do not know how to pray. Even St Paul notes this sad fact when, in Romans 8:26, he says, We do not know how to pray as we ought. In this short book, written for a popular audience by well-known Catholic biblical scholar Dr. Tim Gray, we discover the secret of the saints which can enable us to enter into a lively dialogue with God. Their secret: the ancient art of Lectio Divina (divine, or sacred reading), which is reading, meditating on, and praying the Scriptures. As St. Cyprian notes, Diligently practice prayer and lectio divina. When you pray, you speak with God; when you read [the Scriptures], God speaks to you. Here, we discover that we don t need a mystic gene or divine epiphany to hear God; we simply need to take up the Bible and read.

Product Details

• Paperback: 127 pages
• Publisher: Ascension Press (January 12, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1934217484
• ISBN-13: 978-1934217481
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #270,175 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book will greatly enrich your prayer life!, February 14, 2009

By 

Cindy (Moon Township, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Praying Scripture for a Change: An Introduction to Lectio Divina (Paperback)

Using Biblical excerpts and the wisdom of the saints, Dr. Tim Gray leads the reader through the steps of lectio divina (divine reading), allowing the reader to easily begin practicing this ancient method of praying Scripture. Dr. Gray's rich examples, practical tips, and encouragement make lectio divina accessible to everyone. Even those already familiar with this practice will likely find new insights. With every page, I felt a growing desire to "take up and read" the Bible. My prayer life was enriched and I was able to overcome many obstacles that had plagued my prayer time. After reading this book, you will read (pray) Scripture in a whole new way, and you too will discover "the adventure of a life-giving dialogue with God". If you have ever found prayer to be burdensome and dry, or found yourself wondering how to grow in your relationship with God, this book is for you.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars very informative and uplifting, May 29, 2009

By 

Emily Dragoumi "Emily" (Greece) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Praying Scripture for a Change: An Introduction to Lectio Divina (Paperback)

The author gives a very clear explanation of the four stages to Lectio Divina, and clarifies on the way some of the struggles we may be facing with our approach to prayer. He takes us through the four stages: Lectio, Meditatio, Oratio, and contemplatio, and then Operatio, which he has added, because, as he says, this final step would have "simply been assumed by a medieval reader..." Reading it made me go back to my Bible, and start applying the four steps. During it, I found myself extremely encouraged, enlightened, and helped on the divine ladder to conversation and communion with God.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Praying Scripture for a Change: An Introduction to Lectio Divina, June 22, 2009

By 

Charles W. Stelly - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Praying Scripture for a Change: An Introduction to Lectio Divina (Paperback)

Excellent book with much information for its short length approaching that of Ralph Martin's Fulfillment of All Desire that is much longer.

The only problem I had with the product itself, I bought three of them, was the tendency of the covers, front and back, to curl up away from the contents.
Regards,
C. Warren Stelly
Lafayette, LA 70503