REMEDY: Contemplation Practice for Week Four

Contemplative Prayer

Contemplative prayer - sometimes referred to as centering prayer - is a method designed to deepen the relationship with God that has begun through the practices of fasting, lectio divina and spiritual journaling and to develop a practice of contemplative prayer (i.e. the antithesis of our silent and spoken prayers typically dominated by our speaking to God). It is not meant to replace other kinds of prayer; it simply puts other kinds of prayer into a new, and hopefully, more fuller perspective.

Practice

1. Choose a sacred word as the symbol of your intention to consent to God's presence and action within.

2. Sitting comfortably and with eyes closed, settle briefly, and silently introduce the sacred word as the symbol of your consent to God's presence and action within.

3. When you become aware of thoughts, return ever-so-gently to the sacred word.

4. At the end of the 10 minute prayer period, remain in silence with eyes closed for a couple of minutes.