Contemplative Prayer

Awareness ExamPsalm 139:23-24

”Search me, God, and know my heart;    test me and know my anxious thoughts.

See if there is any offensive way in me,    and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Awareness Exam• Thanksgiving• Ask for light• Finding God in all things• Respond to God in dialogue • Help and Guidance for tomorrow

Awareness ExamThanksgiving

o Begin by centring yourselves on God. o You are in God’s presence and are loved by Him.o Give Thanks to God for His blessings.

Awareness ExamAsk for light

o Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you.o Ask to see yourself in God’s love and truth.o Ask for a felt knowledge of God’s presence.

Awareness ExamFinding God in all things

o Review your day.o Relationships, events, attitudes, thoughts, feeling.o Whatever the Lord directs you to.o Where have you been aware of the Spirit’s presence?

Awareness ExamRespond to God in dialogue

o Respond to God in light of what He has shown you.o Offer praise, thanksgiving, confession, supplication.

Awareness ExamHelp and Guidance for tomorrow

o Centre back on Godo Ask for his guidance and protection as you move

forward.o Resolve anew to walk in the way of Jesus.

Lectio DivinaHebrews 4:12

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges

the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Lectio DivinaRomans 12:2

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then

you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Lectio Divina• Lectio (reading) • Meditatio (reflection)  • Oratio (response)  • Contemplatio (rest)

Lectio DivinaLectio (reading)

o Read the chosen passage over slowly two or three times. o Listen with your heart for a word, phrase or image that

stands out to you.

Lectio DivinaMeditatio (reflection)

o Now that your heart and mind have been drawn to idea or topic, sit with it.

o Take this passage into your mind and heart.o Focus on the word, phrase or image that the Spirit has

given you.o Be attentive to what God’s word is saying to you.o What relationship do you have to this insight? What

does it make you think of? What feelings arise in you?

Lectio DivinaOratio (response)

o Respond to God from what you have received.o Move into a response to God, a dialogue. o Share with God your thoughts and feelings around this

passage.

Lectio DivinaContemplatio (rest)

o Here we rest in the word God has given us.o We stop our active thinking.o We listen. We are completely still and listen; with all

our mind, heart and strength, to God.o We simply be with God.

Silent PrayerPsalm 46:10a

“Be still, and know that I am God;“

Silent PrayerPlace

o Quiet and free of distractions.o A place that you can be at peace.o Be consistent.

Silent PrayerPosture

o One that is most comfortable and least distracting, yet alert (straight back).

o Some like to have their hands open palms facing up in a gesture of receiving.

Silent PrayerTime

o A good starting goal is 20 minutes.o May seem very long at first.o With practice your time may increase.

Silent PrayerBegin focused on God• Start with presenting yourself and the time to God.• Reading a Psalm or saying a short prayer acknowledging

God’s majesty and asking for His presences. o Candle.o Stand in front of your spot and offer your time to God.

Silent PrayerSilence

o Simply listen.o Do not intend anything.o Do not try to produce anything.o Simply listen.

Silent PrayerDistractions

o Distractions are like disobedient kids. The more attention you give them the louder they get!

o Do not fight them. Acknowledge them and move on.o Number them.o Hand the distraction to God to deal with.o Have a word or image that will centre you back on God.o View them as a river.o Make a list.

Silent PrayerMoving Out

o Express praise and thanks to God.o Ask for a growing awareness of His presence with you

throughout this day.

www.athinspace.blogspot.com