As Christians we often fall into a time of sloth when it comes to spiritual devotions. In order to stay spiritually fit we need to have a well used ‘tool box’. This is the first of a series of articles on ways to spend a little time with God.
When I lived in the Benedictine Monastery (that’s a story for another time) I first learned of “Contemplative Prayer”. This practice of meditative prayer is as old as the Early Fathers of the church and was valued in writing as far back as the 4th century.
This spiritual skill is a kind of prayer that involves neither spoken works nor images. It is sitting in silence, eyes closed and thinking on or resting with a word. This word is one chosen by you for your time in ‘unknowing’ or silence to see the word as a sacred word. As you ‘think’ on this word, turn yourself totally to God. Just breathe and think on your word – if you should wander, it’s ok, just return to thinking of nothing other than your word. You can try words such as ‘love’, ‘peace’, or ‘joy’. You could try more difficult words such as ‘embrace’ or ‘wisdom’. Take about 20-30 minutes twice a day for this exercise.
It is important to realize that the benefits of centering prayer are usually not found in the time during the prayer, but instead they are found in the day to day activities of your life after the prayer.
Joseph G. Sandman wrote:
“Those who regularly practice centering prayer have identified additional benefits. These include: greater access to God’s own wisdom and energy; a significant increase in creativity; a decrease in compulsive behavior; a reduction of painful emotions and negative thoughts and greater freedom to respond positively to them when they do arise; a greater ability to accept difficult situations with peace and joy; an expanded capacity to accept others on their own terms without judging them or desiring them to change; an ability to love others more selflessly; and a greater awareness of the presence of God in every person and situation we encounter.”
I pray that you center your life in God and that you add this tool to your ‘faith box’!
See you in church,
Pastor Lynnae
