Deeper into the Heart of God

Contemplative Prayer

Guianan Long-nosed Armadillo

"Eye of Sauron" Fish

Northern Giant Hummingbird

The invitation to contemplative prayer

"Prayer is not primarily saying words or thinking thoughts. It is, rather, a stance. It's a way of living in the Presence."

~ Richard Rohr

Can we learn to see prayer as simply being in the presence of God?

Joshua 1:7-9

⁷ “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. ⁸ Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. ⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Psalm 1:1-3

 Blessed is the one�    who does not walk in step with the wicked�or stand in the way that sinners take�    or sit in the company of mockers,�but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,�    and who meditates on his law day and night.�That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,�    which yields its fruit in season�and whose leaf does not wither—�    whatever they do prospers.

John 15:5

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

Contemplative Prayer Is

"Contemplative prayer is a receptive posture of openness toward God. It is a way of waiting with a heart awake to God's presence and his Word. This kind of prayer intentionally trusts and rests in the presence of the Holy Spirit deep in our own spirit." ~ Adele Calhoun

Contemplative Prayer Is

⁹ “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. ¹⁰ If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. ¹¹ I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

John 15:9-11

Contemplative Prayer Is Not

Meditation for meditation's sake

Contemplative Prayer Is Not

"Christian meditation that does not make a difference in the quality of one's outer life is short-circuited. It may flare for a while, but unless it results in finding richer and more loving relationships with other human beings or in changing conditions in the world that cause human suffering, the chances are that an individual's prayer activity will fizzle out." ~ Morton Kelsey

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Contemplative Prayer Is Not

¹² My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. ¹³ Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. ¹⁴ You are my friends if you do what I command.

John 15:12-14

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Contemplative Prayer Requires

^{Internal Quiet}

^{Internal Space}

^{Internal Openness}

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Practicing Contemplative Prayer