My Dear Friends,
Because we have plenty of time we can make much of our time in “lockdown” and, if you don’t practice them already, develop some good prayer habits. Reflect on some part of the below this Saturday as we gather virtually between 9 & 10 am for our Fellowship Prayer Meeting on Saturday May 2nd.
Here are some helpful ideas and practices to develop a contemplative attitude, from Lynette Leach Pastoral Care Minister, Preston. She says:
“Loving God through contemplation requires making sufficient space for silence. Our culture does not lend itself to silence and reflection, so we need to intentionally carve out time without distractions. Sitting in God’s presence is like rain to the parched ground; it refreshes and causes life to spring forth. It doesn’t mean ignoring our responsibilities or engaging with people and their needs. It means that we detach from the expectations that other people place on us, and open ourselves to what God wants of us.”
Jesus said, ‘Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.’ Matthew 6: 5 (The Message)
- Set regular time aside to: be quiet and still, and know that God is God. Start with breathing slowly and deeply. Let your breath settle into its normal rhythm. This is calming. You can practice it when you notice yourself become tense and stressed or anxious.
- A silent retreat: Start with one hour in a quiet place or your garden.
- Pray the Jesus Prayer: ‘Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ Sit quietly. Focus on your breathing. Begin to say the prayer quietly to yourself with each breath. Keep praying it.
- Try the practice of Centring Prayer. Settle comfortably and let go of thoughts and tensions. Choose a word as a symbol of your intention to surrender to God’s presence (e.g. peace, hope, love, joy, grace, help). When other thoughts come, gently return to your word. Use only the one word as your focus for prayer at that time. As you become accustomed to this form of prayer, try 5 minutes – then 10, 20. At the end of your prayer time, come out of the silence, by praying for others, or saying the Lord’s Prayer.
- Focus on a familiar prayer like the Lord’s Prayer: Take a phrase at a time – one phrase a day e.g. ‘Our Father … (next day) who is in heaven … (next day) Hallowed be your name …’ Spend time in silence, focusing on the phrase for the day.
- Do a prayer walk: during a daily walk, go slowly, noticing things as you walk. Take in the sights. Appreciate God’s good handiwork. If you enjoy art, choose a painting to gaze at on your wall or in a book. Or, simply, look out of your window…
- Sit quietly. Think of a person – family, friend, work colleague, neighbour. Think about your relationship with that person. What do you appreciate? What frustrates you? Try to see life from that person’s viewpoint. See them through the eyes of God. Offer prayer for that person.
- Read a Bible passage, or choose one verse. Savour it. Sit with it for a length of time. What is God drawing your attention to? Perhaps write it down.
- Palms down – palms up prayer: Sit with your hand on your lap. Breathe deeply and relax. Place yourself in the presence of Jesus. Turn your palms down and begin to drop your cares, worries, agendas and expectations into Jesus’ hands. Let go of all that is heavy or burdensome. Relax. Breathe deeply. When you have given your cares to Jesus, turn your palms up on your knees. Open your hands to receive God’s presence, word and love. Listen. When you feel prompted to end, tell the Lord what it is like for you to simply be with him.
Jesus said, ‘Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.’
Matthew 11: 28-29 (The Message)
Letter 7 with love, MFR Silence & Solitude, 01/05/20