Family Prayer Series #2: Family Lectio Divina

In this second installment of the Family Prayer Series, Maria Riley explores doing lectio divina together with kids.

This week I’m in the throes of reentry. This past weekend I was on a Media Apostle Retreat with the Daughters of St Paul in Boston. The entire weekend was full of blessings, graces, friendships, and experiencing the love of Christ. I had a wonderful time. If you work in media of any sort, I highly recommend this retreat! The Malibu location has amazing views of the Pacific Ocean.

When I returned home, though, life started throwing curveballs at me right away. All the peace that had enveloped me just days prior seemed completely unreachable. Between exhaustion, the needs of my family, and external obligations, all the resolves ands resolutions from the retreat felt not only distant, but unattainable.

I reached out to a friend from the retreat asking for prayers, and she reminded me about this reentry phenomenon. When we have a mountain-top experience, coming back to our regular lives can be challenging. Thanks to her reminder that my challenges are completely typical and my prayer time in Scripture, I finally feel like I’ve leveled out.

Typical Lectio Divina Overview

Last week, I started a series on Family Prayer. If you missed the first one, you can find it here. Once you get a solid foundation of prayer established with your family, I think lectio divina (pronounced lex-see-oh duh-vee-nah) is the perfect next step. 

Huh? you may be asking me. Isn’t this a little advanced for step two?? Just because it has a fancy Latin name (meaning divine reading), doesn’t mean it has to be complicated or challenging. You can find many resources online and in books instructing on various methods of lectio divina, but the most common method is this four part practice:

1. Lectio (reading) - Read the Scripture slowly, noticing any words or phrases that jump out at you.

2. Meditatio (meditation) - Spend time meditating with God on the word or phrase that speaks to you.

3. Contemplatio (contemplation) - Sit in silence and allow God to speak to you.

4. Oratio (pray) - Answer God in prayer.

If possible, practice lectio divina a few times on your own or with other adults before diving into this with your kids. But no experience is technically needed to successfully navigate this type of family prayer.

The Word of God is Alive

Sure, if you happen to be a Biblical scholar, you may be able to relate more context into your family’s Scripture reading, but fancy degrees can’t replace a willing heart when it comes to praying with the Word of God. The divinely inspired words in the Bible are more than just words, they are communication from the creator of all things to us.

Whenever I’m asked how someone can hear God speak to them, I remind them that the Bible is full of his words. We just have to let him talk to us. Sometimes this requires us to sit down quietly and let just one word or image from a Bible passage speak directly to our heart. The practice of lectio divina is less about learning and understanding Scripture than about listening to God speak specifically to us. That’s why when you do lectio divina with a group, everyone will hear a different message! Our God is a God of intimacy and personal relationship, and he wants to speak to you through his living Word.

Family Lectio Divina

When I do lectio divina with my kids, I incorporate the Ignatian method of using our imagination with the prayer. That’s why this type of prayer is perfect for families; my kids excel at using their imaginations to jump into the Bible story. In fact, I’m often blown away by how much easier it is for kids to imagine themselves in the stories and the insights they glean.

I recommend starting with the Gospels, and finding passages with action. One of our family’s favorites is Jesus calming the storm at sea, but any Scripture will do. Looking at Sunday’s Gospel is also a great option if you don’t know where to start. Just don’t randomly open your Bible (Bible roulette) to somewhere in the Old Testament. This is never a good idea for lectio divina, especially with children.

Once you pick your passage, follow these simple steps to be practicing lectio divina as a family in no time:

1. Read. One of my kids or I will slowly read the story from the Bible.

2. Meditate. Let everyone sit in silence thinking about the story. The length of time will depend on your kids’ ages and temperaments. Some days, 60 seconds (of not perfect silence) is all we get, and that’s great. During the meditation time, tell your kids to imagine themselves in the story. Where are they? Whom are they talking to? What is Jesus saying to them? How do they feel?

3. Share. Go around and let everyone have a chance to share their experience. Remember, there are no right or wrong answers when it comes to Jesus speaking to us through Scripture. My husband and I typically share first to give the girls some ideas. 

4. Pray. Close with a short prayer thanking God for his word and the time to pray together as a family.

Tips & Tricks

• Start small. This shouldn’t last more than 10 minutes, including sharing time. The goal here isn’t amazingly deep insights, but rather establishing a routine of praying with Scripture.

• Be picky. Choose a Gospel story that your kids like when you’re getting started. Feel free to use your favorite Children’s Bible version, or even tell the story yourself.

• Lower your expectations. For the first few times, you may only get a retelling from your kids. That’s ok! The more they practice lectio divina, the more this will evolve. Even if all they can do is (mostly) listen to your share, you’re planting beautiful seeds.

• Consider using visuals. Sometimes kids connect better with pictures, so let them see the images in their Children’s Bible or find some online.

• Consistency. Try to implement this practice at least once a week so it becomes a routine. The more you all do lectio divina, the easier and more natural it will become.

As you begin to incorporate lectio divina into your family’s prayer life, remember that the goal is not perfection but connection—both with God and with each other. Whether your sessions are quiet and reflective or filled with the joyful noise of little voices, what matters most is that you’re taking the time to listen to God’s Word together. Keep it simple, be patient, and trust that each time you gather as a family to meditate on Scripture, you’re planting seeds of faith that will grow over time!