Prayer is a deep intimate relationship with the Ultimate Reality. It is a journey of self-awareness, self-acceptance, and self-realization.
A journey which takes us the centre of our being where we meet the Creator of All.
Prayer as a way of life. PART 1
If we are to take St. Paul’s words seriously in 1Thessalonians Ch 5 v17, “to pray without ceasing,” then pray must mean more than the act of saying prayers. It must mean more than merely reading suitable material, church attendance, prayer circles or anything of that kind. A person of prayer is not necessarily a person who says several offices or abounds in detailed intercessions.
The act of prayer is meant to establish life as a prayer. It is not meant to be a separate unit. It would be foolish to forget that the act of prayer plays an essential part in making life a prayer. In deep prayer our life can begin to change from self-oriented to one that is oriented towards God, the Ultimate Reality, with our whole being.
The very heart of prayer is the opening of the human personality to the all penetrating and all purifying Divine activity. This is the Divine Therapy. Prayer is a spiritual activity which brings God and us into communion with one another, into a deep intimate relationship if we agree.
In this relationship one comes to see that it is God who is the prime mover. It is not an escapist pie-in-the-sky activity. The way of prayer will bring us face to face with our false self that seeks to live for itself alone.
True prayer is not just praying with our lips, our intellect or imagination but out of the very roots of our being. It is coming to know God through a dark night of faith, letting go of all preconceived ideas, whilst becoming conscious of an inner awareness that God is not out there or anywhere in particular but closer than we are to ourselves. It is in this intimate union with God that we can grow to full Christian maturity.
The first consideration in a life of prayer is to make time for prayer. A weekly time is just not enough. It demands a daily commitment, otherwise the whole affair will become very hit or miss. Fidelity to the time we choose shows our commitment to this relationship, bearing in mind our other duties in life. True prayer will help us to put first things first, will curb the selfishness that seeks only its own pleasure and satisfaction. This calls for a certain amount of discipline and detachment through love. At times it will appear to be an apparently useless waste of time. We need humility to accept this waiting on God. It brings us to acknowledge our own limitations and the dark side of our personality. We must learn patience with ourselves which can teach us compassion and understanding for others. We learn to love which benefits all those who meet us.
We begin to think of others, how to help and support them, especially those nearest to us, our family, and friends. We learn to love which benefits all those who meet us.
Therefore, it is necessary to withdraw in order to overcome the superficial level which characterizes so much of our lives. We need time to awaken the deeper awareness, to develop our spiritual senses which will enable us to love continually and consciously in union with God through His Spirit praying in us.
Rom.8:26 “In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words”
Our main approach to prayer and to life should be that of giving, of courage, of willingness to embrace the trials, not just the consolations and joys however pleasant.
Prayer is comparable with the deepening of an intimate, loving human relationship. In time you gradually reach a stage where you can just relax in silence together. Prayer is not measured by the number or beauty of words. It is meant to flow from the centre of our being, from the heart. To be continued…
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Classical Lectio Divina Workshop. By Elizabeth Smith, October 2020
Comments.
“I truly felt that I was in a place of safety. The weekend was a real moment of healing for me, which I know will be ongoing ….
I am thankful to have had the opportunity to join with everyone. I was very moved as well as challenged and comforted. The reading you gave us affected me deeply and I think it was the right thing for me at the right time. It will be with me for the rest of my life – though I realise it may lead me where I would rather not go at times!!
I am incredibly grateful for the insights and encouragement of the retreat you led which has helped to retune me to be attentive (sometimes!) and to appreciate the graces that it allows.” – Sent in by A. Murray
Classical Lectio Divina- sent in by Elaine Watson
“Years ago, I attended a day retreat at one of my local churches. I cannot remember all the details, but I still carry the power of that experience which I think was a meditation rather than a lectio. It was the story of the wedding feast at Cana. I think there was something about the power of the group that enhanced the experience.
I felt this same power during the lectio weekend even though it was on zoom. The process was ably steered by Elizabeth and Sandra for about eight of us.
It was delivered with Elizabeth‘s great knowledge, experience and skill, slowing down the whole process so we received a considered deep teaching on how to do it using the parable of the prodigal son.
I had a deep spiritual experience as I think perhaps we all did in our different ways. I felt Jesus’ closeness and an intimacy which spoke to my heart about my own relationship with God. Since then I have had deeper intuitions about myself and my relationship with Jesus and how I operate in this world. It is wonderful, I shall certainly continue. I feel I have a new and invaluable spiritual tool to enhance my relationship to God, with myself and others. Thank you, Elizabeth.
12 STEP CENTERING PRAYER COMMUNITY
Throughout this year the 12 step CP community in the US and Europe have joined together to form online meetings.
There are several meetings every day of the week.
More details can be found here cp12stepoutreach.org
They are open to anyone in 12 step recovery.
The U.K. based one is every Saturday at 3pm. Dozens of people – some with many decades of CP experience- from around the world meet, do a sit together and share about how this simple practice manifests in their lives. It has been a high spot of this challenging year for many of us.
Please feel free to share the link.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/371135351?pwd=5KSVhjKvaBiR5bqe7NDQAw
Meeting ID: 371 135 351
Password: guttermonk
Thank you for your continued Service, Howard B.
Fr. Thomas Keating – 7th March 1923 to October 25th, 2018
Contemplative Outreach UK hosted “An Afternoon with Thomas Keating”, on zoom, in memory of Father Thomas’s second anniversary of his death on October 25th, 2020.
It was a truly international event, with Father Carl Arico attending and others from various countries.
Elizabeth Smith had been given permission from his nephew Peter Jones to show the DVD “From the Mind to the Heart”, which was one of the last interviews given by Father Thomas at St Benedict’s Monastery, which composed of a profound ,revealing, spiritual discussion ranging from spiritual transformation to transcendence to death and dying.
A very memorable afternoon was enjoyed by all and we left with much food for thought nourished by our spiritual master and teacher. Sent in by Irene Anderson
Amazon UK – “From the Heart to the Mind” Thomas Keating
Rent from £3.49 OR Buy from £7.95
Renowned theologian Father Thomas Keating engages in a profound, revealing spiritual dialogue ranging from spiritual transformation to transcendence to death and dying.
Genres
Faith and Spirituality, Documentary
Director
Elena Mannes, Peter C. Jones
Starring
Father Thomas Keating, John Osbourne
Rentals include 30 days to start watching this video and 48 hours to finish once started.
Contemplative Outreach UK on Zoom
If you are interested in Zoom Centering Prayer Groups or would like to start one, please contact infocouk@btinternet.com
If you are interested in Workshops and Courses via Zoom arranged by Contemplative Outreach UK
Please contact infocouk@btinternet.com
If you would like to host an Introductory Day on Zoom, please contact
E.M. Smith. B.Ed. at infocouk@btinternet.com
Photo’s courtesy of Jon Thompson www.jonthompson-photography.com