Divine Intervention: Encountering God Through the Ancient Practice of Lectio Divina

by Tony Jones

Who says nothing is sacred?

For 1500 years, Christians have used “sacred reading” or in Latin―Lectio Divina―as a way to tap into the power and vitality of God’s Word. For ancient Christians such as St. Augustine, St. Francis, and others it was a pillar of one’s daily relationship with God. Sound interesting? Learn how it works.

Author and youth pastor Tony Jones explains the four steps of Lectio Divina: lectio (reading), meditatio (meditation), oratio (prayer), and contemplatio (contemplation). You’ll be amazed at the profound impact this practice will have on your spiritual life. Includes 12 lectio divina exercises in the back with passages from The Message Remix.

144 pages, Paperback

First published September 8, 2006

About the author

Tony Jones is the author of The God of Wild Places: Rediscovering the Divine in the Untamed Outdoors (2024) and an award-winning outdoors writer. He’s written a dozen books, including Did God Kill Jesus? and The Sacred Way: Spiritual Practices for Everyday Life. Tony hosts the Reverend Hunter Podcast, and teaches at Fuller Theological Seminary. He served as a consultant on the television show, The Path, and he owns an event planning company, Crucible Creative. He holds an A.B. from Dartmouth College, an M.Div. from Fuller Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary. Tony is married, has three children, and lives in Edina, Minnesota.

Reviews

[Tommy O'Keefe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read a handful of things on the practice of Lectio Divina. Tony Jones' book is definitely the most accessible one I've come across. He makes it a spiritual practice that anyone can easily begin incorporating into their daily life. The downside is that the book can be a bit simplistic rather than just simple. The writing style is a little too casual for my tastes and some of the examples just felt a bit too one dimensional. That said, I still think this book does a good job of presenting the reader with the basic steps involved in the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, and makes those steps learnable and attainable for those of us who don't live in a monastery.

[Blake Chenoweth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great, honest read on Lectio Divina and a prayerful heart to reading God's Word. This is a book that encourages those of us who strive to spend more time in meditation on God's Word and strive every day to put it into our hearts.

Tony Jones writes in a heartfelt, honest way and I am sad that this is the first thing I have ever read from him. A great book for those of us who love God's Word and desire to live it out more every day.

[Dustin Tramel · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy to read, and short, introduction to the ancient prayer technique Lectio Divina. I have tried out the method and really find it helpful. Prayer is mysterious and there are so many ways to "do" prayer that I usually end up avoiding it or not being disciplined. I think I'll incorporate Lectio Divina into my routine - or at least try it out for a while.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great primer on lectio divina, an ancient method of prayer. Lays out what it is and how to do it privately, in a small group of large group setting. Very helpful.

Also, in the introduction I thought he was channeling NT Wright in After You Believe in Christian formation until I realized this book was written before Wright's.

[Kimberly Olson Sutor]

"Lectio dvina"(Latin) - an ancient method of prayer - translates as "sacred reading." There are 4 steps: Lectio (a selection or a reading), Meditatio (thinking over or meditation), Oration (speaking or praying), and Contemplatio (contemplation).