Prayer Practice Week 4
Being With God
We never mature beyond any of the four stages of prayer we are exploring in this Practice, but the further we progress in prayer, the more we desire to speak to God, to listen to God, and to just be with God.
As a general rule, you can gauge the intimacy in a relationship by how comfortable you are being alone together in the silence. Early on, relationships are full of words and activity. As you grow closer over time, there are still words and activity, but you also come to deeply enjoy just being with each other. It is wordless, yet it is a form of communication, and more, communion.
Followers of Jesus have long considered this sacred love to be a picture of union with God.
This type of wordless prayer has come to be called âcontemplation,â based on 2 Corinthians 3v18. Its most basic meaning is to contemplate: to look, to gaze upon the beauty of God, receiving his love pouring out toward you in Christ and by the Spirit, and then giving your love back in return.
Below you will find steps to help you engage with this practice, as well as resources for further exploration.
Ways to engage with the Prayer Practice
First and foremost, this practice (and all practices) are meant to be done in community. If you haven't yet, find a small group of people that are commited to walking through this practice together.
Download the Prayer Practice Guide. If you can, it is advised to print it out to reduce the distraction of our devices.
Gather with your group once a week to watch the Practicing the Way video found below. This will include questions for discussion, as well as a short teaching on that week's practice.
Step into each practice as much as you are able and feel comfortable to. This invitation is for everyone at all stages of life and faith.
Reflect on your experience of the practice using the reflection questions at the bottom of the guide and be prepared to share them the next time you gather with your group.
Recommended Reading
Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools by Tyler Staton (Chapters 9-10)
Rule of Life Podcast
Prayer Practice Guide
Download the practice guide here
Week 3 Practice - Begin your daily prayer rhythm with silence and a breath prayer
The seventh century monk St. John Climacus gave this advice on contemplation: âLet the memory of Jesus combine with your breath.â God has designed deep, slow breathing to calm your bodyâs nervous system and center your mind. That makes breathing an especially helpful pathway to contemplative prayer.
Contemplative prayer is difficult because our mind is so distraction-prone, but the basic steps are simple.
Find a quiet, distraction-free place to pray.
Get seated comfortably, but where you can breathe properly and not slouch (Not on a couch).
Breathe slowly (five seconds on the inhale, then five on the exhale) from your belly. Relax. Become present to your body. And to the moment. Then, open your mind to God.
You may just want to remain here, in loving attention to the Trinity. Remember: Youâre not trying to pray words here. Itâs your heart to Godâs heart; this prayer is will to will, love to love.
When distractions come, just gently set them aside the moment you realize your mind has wandered and come back to your breathing. And they will come, way more than you think or want! Thatâs okay. It doesnât mean youâre bad at contemplative prayer; it means youâre human
Remain in God, receiving his love and giving yours back in turn. In the beginning, 1-2 minutes of this is a huge success, and 5-10 minutes is a home run.
Week 4 Reflection Questions
Before your next time together with the group, take five minutes to journal out your answers to the following three questions about the practice:
Where did I feel resistance?
Where did I feel delight?
Where did I most experience God's nearness?
