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Methods to Facilitate
Contemplative Prayer
Contemplative living is a gift of
God through the merits of Christ, given in the Holy
Spirit. A method of prayer must not be used as a
technique but rather as a prayerful means to facilitate
the opening of the soul's faculties to receive the Gifts
of the Holy Spirit. It is all a matter of grace.
The following are three
methods:
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THE JESUS PRAYER:
The Gospel prayer, "Lord Jesus Christ,
Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner," is
repeated with your breath continually until the
prayer is part of breathing and opens you to
divine union. The first part of the prayer is
pronounced while inhaling, the last part,
"have mercy ... " while exhaling.
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THE LECTIO DIVINA:
This process of prayer is an ancient one.
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- You begin by
reading a passage from Sacred Scripture.
- Read the
passage again. This time, you meditate on its
meaning for your life.
- Read the
passage again. Then, you allow the Spirit to
pray within you as you express your deepest
reactions: your outpourings of faith, hope
and love; contrition, adoration etc.
- Finally, you
allow yourself to enter into the rest of God,
consenting to abide in God beyond thoughts
and feelings. It is at this point you might
use a method like centering prayer or simply
remain silent trusting in the Holy Spirit to
lead you beyond thoughts into union with God.
At any point in the process, you may move
into the silence as you are led.
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CENTERING-PRAYER:
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- Choose a sacred
word as the symbol of your intention to
consent in Christ to the Triune God's
presence and action within you. Examples of
sacred words are: Abba, Father, Jesus, Mary,
Love, Yes, Shalom, and so on.
- Sit comfortably
with your eyes closed. Settle briefly, and
then silently introduce the sacred word as
the symbol of your consent to God's presence
and action within.
- When you become
aware of thoughts, sensations, feelings --
any perception whatsoever -- return gently to
the sacred word.
- At the end of
the 20 minute prayer period, remain in
silence with eyes closed for a couple of
minutes. Conclude the prayer with the
recitation of the Our Father.
For
questions, comments or other communication, please
contact:
William
Fredrickson: Fredrickson46@msn.com
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