GOING DEEPER WITH JESUS
Exploring Different Forms of Prayer
Developed by Barbara Jimenez & Elizabeth Mjelde – 2009
“There are as many ways to pray as there are moments in life. Sometimes we seek out a quiet spot to be alone. Sometimes we look for a friend and want to be together. Sometimes we like a book, sometimes we prefer music. Sometimes we want to sing out with hundreds, sometimes only whisper with a few. Sometimes we want to say it with a deep silence. In all these moments, we gradually make our lives more a prayer and we open our hands to be led by God even to places we would rather not go.”
– Henri Nouwen
DAILY PATTERN OF PRAYER (based on Scripture)
Set aside daily time for prayer. It can be helpful to have a place in your home that is special or sacred to you (this can be easily created with the help of simple objects, such as a cross, a candle, etc.).
• Read and reflect on chosen scripture passage, using different forms of solitary prayer.
• Close the prayer with a time of conversation with Jesus and his father.
• Review in a journal how God touched your heart during your prayer. This review helps us to become aware of how God responds to us in prayer (Was there any word or phrase that specifically stood out to you? What were your feelings? Were you peaceful, loving trusting, sad, discouraged, anxious? What do these feelings say to you?) You may find that you are inclined to pray directly into your journal throughout your prayer time.
• Ask yourself these questions: How are you more aware of God’s presence? How is God calling you to apply his word to your life?
FORMS OF SOLITARY PRAYER
There are various forms of prayer with scripture. Different prayers appeal to different people, based on our personality and needs.
1. MEDITATIVE PRAYER
Christian meditation opens us to the mind of God and to his presence in the world. In meditative prayer, we approach the scripture passage with our mind.
How to pray this way:
• Read the passage slowly, aloud or in your mind; letting the words wash over you, savoring them.
• Stay with the words that especially catch your attention and absorb them.
• Keep repeating a word or phrase, aware of the feelings that it elicits
• When a thought resonates with you, stay with it; allowing the fullness of it to penetrate.
• Read and reread the passage lovingly, as you would reread a letter from a dear friend.
2. CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER
In contemplative prayer, we enter into a life event or story passage by way of imagination, making use of all our senses. In contemplative prayer, our imagination helps us to be present and witness the stories or Jesus’ life. In this form of prayer, the Holy Spirit enlivens the particular event we are contemplating and speaks to us through that event.
How to pray this way:
In contemplative prayer, we enter the story as if we were there:
• We watch what happens, listen to what is being said.
• We become part of the story, assume the role of one of the people.
• We look at each of the individuals. What does he or she experience? To whom does each one speak? What are the details of the setting, of their faces, their body language?
• What difference does it make for my life, my family, for society, if I listen to and apply this message?
In the Gospel stories, enter into dialogue with Jesus:
• Be there with him and for him.
• Want him, long for him.
• Listen to him.
• Let him be for you what he wants to be.
• Respond to him.
3. CENTERING PRAYER
Centering prayer is a very simple form of prayer, frequently without words. It is a prayer that connects our heart to God’s heart and opens our heart to the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. In centering prayer, we go deep down into the deepest center of ourselves. It is the point of stillness within us where we most experience being created by a living God who beholds us with a smile. To enter into centering prayer requires a recognition of our dependency on God and a surrender to his Spirit of love. “…the Spirit too comes to help us in our weakness…the Spirit expresses our plea in a way that could not be put into words…” (Rom. 8:26)
Mother Teresa wrote, “Be faithful to the time spent in prayer and make sure that at least half of your prayer is spent in silence. This will bring you closer to Jesus. If you deepen your prayer life you will grow in holiness and obtain many graces for the souls entrusted to your care. Deepen your love for one another by praying for each other and by sharing thoughts and graces you have received in prayer and reading.”
How to pray this way:
• “Be still and know that I am God”. (Ps. 46:10)
• Sit quietly, comfortably and relaxed.
• Rest within your longing and desire for God.
• Move to the center within your deepest self. This movement can be helped by imagining yourself slowly descending in an elevator or walking down flights of stairs.
• Acknowledge the distractions around you. Make peace with the fact that we live in a noisy world. Press on until you are still before God.
• In the stillness, become aware of God’s presence, peacefully absorb his love.
4. BREATH PRAYER or PRAYER OF THE HEART
Breathing is something we do unconsciously and take for granted. Breath prayer reminds us that in the same way that we cannot live on one breath of air, we cannot live on one breath of God. God is the breath of life for our soul and we need to breathe him in all day long, every day of our lives. Breath prayer reminds us that each breath we are given is God’s gift and that God’s Spirit is nearer to us than our own breath. Breath prayer is a very old form of prayer that has been seen as a way of living out Paul’s instruction to “pray without ceasing.”
How to pray this way:
• Be alone in a quiet place. Close your eyes and, breathing softly, in your imagination, look into your own heart. Relax your mind and let your thoughts flow from your head down to your heart and say, while breathing, “Lord Jesus Christ, son of the living God, have mercy on me.” Say these words gently or say them in your mind. Let go of all other thoughts. Be relaxed and peaceful and repeat them over and over again.
• To practice breath prayer, imagine the nearness of God. Settle deeply into the truth that Christ is in you. Deeply breathe in, repeating any name of God that you like. As you exhale, voice a deep desire of your heart. This short prayer can be repeated over and over throughout the day.
• Examples of breath prayer are:
Breathe in “Abba”, breathe out “I belong to you.”
Breathe in “Prince of Peace”, breathe out “give me peace.”
5. SOLITARY PRAYER WALKING
Some people do their best praying while they are moving. Prayer walking can be a wonderful gift for those who like to get up and move around. Sometimes prayer walking is done in groups or individually in order to intercede on behalf of people in a specific place (such as prayer for a city or a particular neighborhood), but solitary prayer walking as it is described here encourages you to draw close to God by spending time with him in the natural environment of his beautiful creation.
How to pray this way:
• Begin by deciding where you’re going to walk – someplace where you won’t be disturbed. Be sure you have on comfortable shoes and clothing and that you have set aside whatever time you need for this prayer.
• Take a few moments to focus your attention on the bottoms of your feet. Feel how your feet make contact with the ground.
• Remind yourself that your feet support your body and the ground supports your feet. There is no effort here. Just be aware of the support available to you.
• Now, slowly, take a step forward. As you do, notice how you lift one foot and, as you move forward, how the foot still on the ground begins to roll forward as well, and how you naturally shift your weight. Do this slowly enough so that you can feel the various elements of taking a step.
• Pay attention to how your other foot touches the ground as you move into the step. Very slowly, simply allow the step to unfold and notice the movement of your body. Do this in whatever way allows you to keep your balance comfortably. The point here is not to get anywhere. It is to be aware of each element of your step, to bring awareness to the process of walking mindfully.
• As you walk, also notice your surroundings, the colors, shapes, textures, smells. Allow into your awareness whatever arises, and invite yourself to refocus on the bottoms of your feet and the steps you’re taking if you find that your mind has drifted away from the prayer.
• Also notice your breathing. Notice how it feels to settle your awareness in your stomach, as well as in the soles of your feet. Become aware, as well, of the palms of your hands and your fingers. Your goal is to be present in your body as you notice your experience of walking slowly in this moment.
• If you notice any feelings or thoughts arise, whether you experience them as comfortable or uncomfortable, name them – “thought”, “feeling” – and then let them just keep moving on. Notice that if you allow it, every thought, feeling, and sensation that arises naturally moves through and moves on.
• Now, gently turn your heart and mind to Jesus. Focus on his character, his presence in your life, your longing for more of him and your gratitude for the beauty of God’s creation.
• When you feel yourself getting distracted by other thoughts or feelings, acknowledge them and allow them to move on. Then return your heart and mind to God.
• When you have walked for the time you allowed, stop and take a moment to notice how you feel, physically, emotionally and spiritually.
• As you come back to everyday activities and awareness, notice what happens if you continue to be present with Jesus as you were when you did your prayer walk. Notice what happens when you carry Jesus presence with you and your life becomes a prayer.
6. PRAYER OF JOURNALING
“As you read what I have written, you will understand my insight into this plan regarding Christ.” (Eph. 3:4, NLT)
Journaling is meditative writing. When we write, spirit and body cooperate to release our true identity. Journaling allows us to experience ourselves in a new light as expression is given to the fresh images which emerge from our subconscious. Journaling requires setting aside preconceived ideas and control. Meditative writing is like writing a love letter. When we recall memories and clarify convictions, emotions well up within us. In writing we may discover that our feelings are intensified and prolonged. Because of these qualities, journaling can also help in identifying and healing hidden, suppressed emotions such as anger, fear and resentment.
How to pray this way:
A few different options for the use of journaling in prayer include:
• Writing a letter addressed to God.
• Writing an answer to a question, for example, “What do you want me to do for you? (Mk 10:51) or “Why are you weeping?” (Jn 20:15).
• Having a conversation with Jesus or another person in scripture, as you listen to them “speak” to you through the process of prayerful writing.
7. PRAYER OF REPETITION
Repetition is the return to a previous time of prayer for the purpose of allowing the movements of God to deepen within our hearts. Repetition helps us to fine-tune our sensitivities to God; and to how God speaks in our prayer and within our life circumstances. The prayer of repetition allows for the integration of who we are with who God is revealing himself to be for us. In addition, the prayer of repetition is a way of honoring God’s word to us in the earlier prayer time. It is recalling and savoring an earlier conversation with Jesus. It is another way of saying to God, “Tell me again; what did you say to me?” In this follow-up prayer, we open ourselves to a healing presence that can transform whatever sadness and confusion we may have experienced in our first prayer time. In repetition, not only is the love, joy and peace we initially felt, deepened, but also our pain, sadness and confusion is often brought to a new level of understanding and acceptance.
How to pray this way:
The prayer time we choose to repeat is one in which we have experienced a significant movement of joy or sadness or confusion. It could also be a time of prayer in which nothing seemed to happen, due, perhaps to our own lack of readiness at the time.
• Recall the feeling of the first time of prayer.
• Use, as a point of entry, the scene, word or feeling that was previously most significant.
• Allow the Spirit to direct the inner movements of your heart during this time of prayer.
SUGGESTED TIME OF REFLECTION AT EACH DAY’S END
REVIEW OF THE DAY
“O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.”
(Ps. 139:1, NLT)
The review of the day is a process we use which helps us discover how God has been present to us and how we have responded to God’s presence throughout the day. The review of the day can be a vital link with God because it focuses on an exploration of how God is present within the events, circumstances and feelings of our daily lives. It is also a reflection that is essential for growth in our relationship to God, self and others. The review of the day encourages movements of personal love: what we always want to say to a person whom we truly love: Thank you…. Help me…. I love you…. I’m sorry…. Be with me.
How to do a Review of the Day:
The following prayer is a suggested approach to the review of the day:
• God, my Father, I am totally dependent on you.
• Jesus, I am grateful for all of the gifts you have given to me throughout the day.
• Lord, please give me an increased awareness of how you are guiding and shaping my life, as well as a more sensitive awareness of the obstacles I put in your way.
• You have been present in my life today. Be near, now, as I reflect on:
• Your presence in these events today…
— Your presence in these feelings I experienced today…
– I heard you call me to…
— And I responded to you by saying…
— Father, I ask your loving forgiveness and healing. The particular event of this day that
I most want healed is…
— Filled with hope and a firm belief in your love and power, I entrust myself to your care.
BIBLIOGRAPHY / LIST OF SOURCES
Some of the language and content of this short guide is based on or drawn from material from the following books:
Ahlberg Calhoun, Adele. Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices That Transform Us. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2005.
Bergan, Jacqueline Syrup and Marie Schwan, C.S.J. Love: A Guide for Prayer, from the “Take and Receive Series,” revised and updated. Ijamsville, MD: The Word Among Us Press, 1985, 2004.
Harris, Paul. Christian Meditation: Contemplative Prayer for a New Generation. London: Darton Longman & Todd, 1996.
Keating, Thomas, O.C.S.O. Open Mind, Open Heart. Rockport, MA.: Element Books, 1986.
Pennington, Basil. Centering Prayer: Renewing an Ancient Christian Prayer Form. New York: Doubleday, 2001.
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