Customer Reviews

Praying Scripture for a Change: An Introduction to Lectio Divina

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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.

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.

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

This book removed the scales from my eyes on prayer and the Sacred Scriptures. For me, it is a masterpiece in the way Dr. Tim Gray explains the the dialogue of prayer, the presence of God and providing the means to experience and receive God in our life - day by day - through the Living Word.

Dr. Tim Gray is a paradox insofar as he is very intelligent and highly educated and yet he is able to deliver lessons in a palatable, easy-to-receive manner. I own and utilize many of Dr. Gray's works, all of which have enriched my spiritual journey by leading me, so simply and easily, into a deeper understanding of our gracious and loving God.

Tim Gray does a fabulous job at opening up the practice of Lectio Divina for those seeking to connect with God through the Scriptures. He lays out some simple steps of this practice and provides some good illustrations and information for the reader to put into practice for themselves. I bought this book as a part of my study for an upcoming sermon and thoroughly enjoyed the read and research Gray provides. Recommended if you'd like to look at your prayer life from another angle and have another practice to help you connect with God through His Holy Scriptures. I've read other resources also, but this one unpacks this ancient practice well for a good introduction to Lectio Divina. Enjoy.

I've been doing daily meditations 4-5 times/week for 5 years- and I found this to be helpful and insightful.

Dr. Gray is one of my favorite authors. I wish he would write more books!

This book changed the way I see scripture. The tools that Dr. Gray explores have opened my eyes even more to the depth and beauty of the Holy Scripture. I highly recommend reading and re-reading this book to start your journey to a most indescribable spiritual experience with Holy Scripture.

While this book provides a good historical background on the evolution of the Lectio Devina, it is written in an old-fashioned, fuddy-duddy style. Without coming out and saying so, he wants you to know that he's not going to step one inch out of line from how he feels he should be perceived by his audience. The author scores points for Christian meditation by debasing the meditation of other religious traditions--with broad generalizations and cheap shots. The author often exploits the Hebrew scripture tradition in a way that benefits his treatment of the Lectio Devina, but reveals a light and skewed reading of that tradition. When the author reveals why Joseph of Genesis is attractive to the eye is particularly funny--and wrong. I started laughing at the irony of such an infantile interpretation, especially when he was asking us not to read the story superfluously! Lectio Devina asks us to deeply consider the nuance of the sacred page--and the author often misses nuance entirely. The book seems quite frightened of what the Lectio Devina actually asks us to do--to be totally authentic before God. Rather, this book gives us another example of how to be formed in the image of the uptight, conflicted, and repressed. If the author actually practices the Lectio Devina, he should write another book once he gets real. All that said, there are many useful insights within these pages if you're willing to wade though the shallows to get there. The quotes he chooses for the top of each chapter are the best writing in each chapter.