Free Lectio Divina PDF Worksheet: 5 Steps to Deepen Your Prayer Life

Deepen your relationship with God through a free Lectio Divina PDF worksheet — a step-by-step guide to encountering Jesus in Scripture through the practice of reading, reflection, and prayer.

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“Lectio Divina” (divine reading) is an ancient practice of reading Scripture slowly and prayerfully, aimed at listening to God’s Word and building a closer relationship with Him. The five main steps are 1. Pray, 2. Read, 3. Meditate, 4. Respond, and 5. Contemplate.

Lectio Divina is a way of becoming immersed in the Scriptures very personally by reflecting prayerfully on His Words.

I like to think of the Lectio Divina method as a time of prayer and meditation. This practice has helped me to better know God relationally, instead of just intellectually, as I study His Word. I came to learn about this practice through Jan Johnson’s book When the Soul Listens: Finding Rest and Direction in Contemplative Prayer

While having a good knowledge of the Bible is of course important, God wants the truth of His word to go beyond just knowledge. He wants that understanding to translate to our relationship with our Heavenly Father who loves us dearly.

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Should Christians Meditate?

The concept of meditation for Christians is often confused with Eastern meditation. Eastern meditation focuses on emptying the mind of everything.

However, Christian meditation focuses on emptying the mind of everything EXCEPT God and Spiritual truths. There are several verses that mention the importance of biblical meditation, including Psalm 1:2, Joshua 1:8, Philippians 4:8, Psalm 19:14, and Psalm 119:15.

How to “Stop and Smell The Roses” of God’s Word

We have all seen a picture of a rose and admired its beauty. But looking at an image and experiencing one in real life are two different things. When you see a rose in person, you feel the soft petals on your fingertips, you see the fresh morning dew and you take your time to savor the sweet aroma that is unique to that rose.

That, my friends, is how I like to think of lectio divina, as it allows us to sit in Scripture and experience it in a way that we gain so much more than just reading. For this reason, this post will feature pictures of roses from my garden.

This practice is known for deepening personal intimacy with God and providing a way for Scripture to feel like a “living word” rather than a purely historical text.

The Background of Lectio Divina

Lectio Divina is rooted in ancient monastic tradition, developed early on as a key practice for monks to read and meditate on Scripture. While it originated in early Christianity (c. 3rd–4th century), it became a foundational, structured practice within Roman Catholic monastic orders like the Benedictines.  More recently, the practice is being more popular with Protestant churches as well.

Tips for Beginners

1. Choose a quiet, comfortable space where you can calm your thoughts. Consider getting some coffee or hot tea and having relaxing music in the background for your lectio divina prayer time. You can even light a candle – not to sound too “woo woo”, but it helps to trigger your brain each time you see the flame and smell the fragrance to gather your thoughts and calm your mind.
2. Don’t get hung up on where to find a verse or if you have found the right one. God will work through this time, no matter what Scripture you pick.
3. Focus on being present and listening. Unlike Bible study, this is not an academic analysis but an intimate conversation.
4. Don’t rush it. Allow yourself to just “be” with God. This isn’t about “doing it right”; you are just sitting with God. He will be delighted that you wanted to spend this time with Him.

DOWNLOAD A LECTIO DIVINA PDF WORKSHEET OF THE STEPS BELOW BY CLICKING HERE

Lectio Divina: 5 Steps To Grow Closer to God

My approach is to complete a day of whatever Bible study I’m currently doing, then choose a couple of verses from that same passage to sit with through Lectio Divina.

Step one: Invite

First, pray a short prayer, asking the Holy Spirit for inspiration and guidance during this time. This prayer of invitation can be as simple as “God, let me hear from you.”

STEP TWO: Read (Lectio)

Select a short Scripture passage or verse. It can be any verse or verses that speak to you – whether a verse from a devotional or your Bible reading. I prefer to pick one to three verses.

Write out the verses and read through them unhurriedly and attentively 2-3 times. (Feel free to use any of my free printables Bible verses about God’s love.)

FOR EXAMPLE: I could write out 1 John 4:18-19:

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.  We love because he first loved us.”

STEP THREE: Meditate (Meditatio)

Meditation is right-brained and intuitive. For this step, we invite God to speak to us. The Spirit tells us things we would never think of on our own. The focus is on words and images.

Ponder over the word or phrase, allowing it to resonate with your life, thoughts and feelings without forcing things. When a word or phrase stands out to you, stop and rest with it. Ponder the word and reflect on what it means to you.

Reflect on what you believe God is saying. Try not to over-analyze. Instead, focus on God and what He might be saying.

FOR EXAMPLE: When I reread and pondered the phrase, “perfect loves DRIVES OUT fear”, I thought about those Dawn commercials where the drop of Dawn in the sink immediately repels the grease in the water.

That visual helps me to understand how perfect love repels fear. Fear cannot exist in the presence of love.

STEP FOUR: Pray (Oratio)

Oratio is responding in prayer. This is where we speak to God about what stood out to us. Were you surprised? Intimidated? Comforted? Respond to God in prayer with thanksgiving, petition or praise. What do you want to say to God in response to what He showed you?

Jan Johnson recommends writing out your prayer, and I have found that this helps me focus and be more sincere.

FOR EXAMPLE:

“God, help me to relate to you from a permanent stance of love. Perfect your love in me so I know you are not out to “get” me, scare me, or hurt me.

You want good things for me. You love me dearly, and you hurt when you see me hurt.

You are my Father. You protect me and you see me at all times.

You have been nothing but good to me. God, reprogram my brain to believe the truth about you.

Help me to focus on my relationship with you and not make this work-based. Help me to see you through the lens of love. Thank you that your perfect love repels fear.

STEP FIVE: CONTEMPLATE (CONTEMPLATIO)

Take some time to contemplate what you have read and prayed. Be present with God as the focus is on Him. Fix your eyes on the greatness of God and savor what you have learned about Him today. Allow the words to sink into your heart.

The purpose of contemplation in this context is to create space for Christ to construct an “inner sanctuary in the heart,” rather than just using the mind to study or even pray. Just sit quietly and allow God to work. If your mind starts to wander, gently bring it back to stillness again, focusing on Him.

I love this practice because it helps me to enjoy God’s presence. God will equip you for whatever difficulties you encounter. And the best equipping He can ever give you is His Living Presence. Know that His hand will never let go of yours.

How Does Lectio Divina Relate to Bible Study?

A devotional reading of Scripture like Lectio Divina should not replace “intellectual, studious” Bible study but supplement it. A serious study of the Bible should naturally lead to communion with and worship of God.

Believers have a responsibility to rightly handle the Word of truth, and workers should not need to be ashamed before God (2 Timothy 2:15). We approach the Bible from a position of sound knowledge and faith. The personal experience of peace and contentment comes as a byproduct of knowing and communing with God.

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Final Thoughts on The Lectio Divina Steps and Handout

In a world that constantly pulls our attention in a thousand directions, the steps for Lectio Divina offer us an anchor — a way to slow down and truly encounter God in His Word. This ancient, holy practice is not about checking off a spiritual to-do list; it is about showing up, opening your heart, and trusting the Holy Spirit to meet you right where you are. Whether you are a seasoned believer or just beginning to explore a deeper prayer life, I pray that this practice draws you closer to the God who loves you and longs to speak to you through the pages of Scripture.

I love to hear your thoughts and questions!  Scroll down to leave a comment and I WILL reply! ❤️

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

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