As part of our Mission Action Plan (Signs of the Kingdom), Holy Habits offers simple, life-giving practices that help us walk more closely with God. While Lent and Easter are seasons rich in prayer and reflection, we often forget that writing can be a form of prayer too.
Scriptio Divina (Latin for “Sacred Writing”) is a quiet, reflective practice that invites us to write with God. It builds on the long Christian tradition of journaling our prayers and reflections, a way of noticing God’s presence and recording our spiritual journey. But it’s more than a diary, it’s a conversation.
How to Practice Scriptio Divina
- Be Still – Find a quiet space. Light a candle or play gentle music if it helps. Take a few deep breaths. Invite God to join you.
- Begin the Conversation – Start by writing a letter to God. Be honest, write about whatever’s on your heart: your joys, your struggles, your hopes, your questions.
- Listen and Respond – Now pause. Imagine what God might be saying to you in reply. Let the Spirit guide your thoughts and write God’s response as you sense it.
- Keep the Dialogue Going – Don’t stop at one response. Write back to God again. Ask more questions. Wait in silence. Let it become a flow, a written conversation, not a monologue.
- Look Back and Notice – Over time, re-read your journal. You may be surprised by how God has been gently guiding you, answering prayers, or drawing your attention to things you missed at the time.
Why Try It?
Sometimes our thoughts feel jumbled until we write them down. Scriptio Divina helps us slow down, become attentive, and open ourselves to God’s voice. It turns journaling into a space for connection, a space where we discover that God has been speaking all along.
This Easter season, why not give Scriptio Divina a try? Set aside time each week for this written conversation with God. Let your pen become a pathway to prayer, and your journal a record of God’s grace.