Lectio divina is "letting our Divine Friend speak to us through his inspired and inspiring Word," according to M. Basil Pennington, a priest, retreat master, and lecturer in the Centering Prayer movement. This ancient Christian practice requires faith, humility, openness, and fidelity. We come to lectio "not so much seeking ideas, concepts, insights or even motivating graces; we come to lectio seeking God himself and nothing less than God."

Father Pennington sets the process of praying the Scriptures in the context of meditation, contemplation, compassion, and action. He calls it "a way of friendship" wherein we pay attention to "the love letters from the Lord." Lectio, as a satisfying mental and emotional experience, can be enhanced by reading different translations of the Bible, using commentaries, participating in Bible study groups, and using the resources of Scripture-oriented websites. Pennington sees Mary as a perfect model of attending to the Word of God.

One way of enthroning the Bible in the home was shown to the author by some Ozark Christians. They place the Bible on their pillows so that just before going to sleep they have to pick it up. They then take a moment to get a word from the Lord to carry them through the night. Next they place the Bible on their shoes so that when they arise in the morning, they have pick it up again and can get a message to carry them through the day.

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