369 ways to pray page 8.
Acquired ContemplationIf the contemplation is only acquired, that is to say it is a habit of holding oneself in the presence of God, then the soul is not passive, because its principle is produced and acquired in its own depths and is nothing but a habit of regarding God always present. FRANCOIS MALAVAL 1627----1719.
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The First and The LastThese things says the First and the Last. Rev2:8
Do not be afraid I am the First and the Last Rev 1:17 I am the Alpha and the Omega the Beginning and the End The First and The Last . Rev 22:13 |
Active contemplation is that which may be achieved by our own diligence, the divine grace also assisting, and we gathering together the faculties and senses and preparing ourselves for everything God wills.
MIGUEL de MOLINOSE 1648----1697 |
Thus says the Lord, The King of Israel,
And his Redeemer, the Lord of Hosts: I am the First and the Last; Besides Me there is no God. ISAIAH 44 : 6 |
The first stage in contemplative prayer, usually known as acquired contemplation when, in faith, hope and with a longing love, we reach out to God's presence. It begins with knowing in faith that He is really present and seeking with all one's heart to touch Him and be touched by Him. In acquired contemplation we give Him such attention that He is free, He can act to direct
the prayer and lead it in the way he wants. |
the Firstborn when He again brings the firstborne into the world, He says;
"Let all the angels of God worship Him." Hebrews 1:16 NKJV |
Arid ContemplationAlways when we pray sincerely, from however dry a heart, the Spirit of God prays within us.
What in periods of spiritual aridity is sometimes described as mere lip servive in prayer, is in reality the prayer of a poor , yet faithful heart. Consoled ContemplationContemplation may be consoled, to a small degree or strongly. If prayer is sweet or consoled--go on doing what you are doing.
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The Firstborn over all creationHe is the image of the invisible God
the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. COLOSSIANS 1:15-16 NKJV |
Hesychastic contemplationHesychastic contemplation flourished in the monastic centres of Sinai and Mount Athos. The essential simplicity of monastic prayer is expresses in the
primitive "prayer of the heart" which consisted in interior recollection, the abandonment of distracting thoughts and the humble invocation of the Lord Jesus, with words from the bible in a spirit of intense faith.. The sacramental power of the name of Jesus brings the Holy Spirit into the heart of the praying man who has renounced the world to practice hesychastic wisdom. |
Fortress Strong TowerHe who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I Trust. PSALM 91:1-2 NIV fortress Metsuda (me-tsu DAH) strong tower Migdal-Oz (mig-dal (OHZ) |
Imaginative Contemplation I set a mood of prayer and recall God's presence.
Then I read refiectively the gospel event I wish to contemplate. Iread the gospel passage several times, |
Foundation.For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid,
which is Jesus Christ 1st Corinthians 3:11 N.K.J.V. |
I picture briefly the place where the gospel event takes place
I ask for some grace related to the gospel. I imagine myself in the scene , and become present to the people in the passage, what do I see..........? What do I smell ? what do I feel.........? what do I taste ? what do I hear ? I watch Jesus and listen to what He says. I iook at the other people in the scene and see how Jesus behaves. I live the gospel passage with Jesus and converse with Him if possable and if appropriate. I might take leave of whoever is near me at the end of the passage. Sometimes my mind is so taken with the experience that I don't notice how I feel or what were my feelings. |
therefore thus says the Lord God
See, I am laying in Zion a foundation stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation. ISAIAH 28:16 N.R.S.V. FountainIn that day a fountain shall be opened for the house of David
and for the inhabitents of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness. ZECHARAIH 13:1 N.K.J.V. those who turn from you will be uprooted from the land since they have abandoned the fountain of living water. JEREMIAH 17:13 |
Ignatian contemplation The movement from "asking for what I want" to the colloquay can be seen more clearly by recognising the affinity of Ignatian contemplation with the movement of the lectio divina.
The four steps of the lectio divina are like a ladder, a metaphor of long standing in the tradition, and a ladder is a simple instrument to accomplish the dynamic of getting off the ground. " Lectio" corresponds with calling to mind the history of the particular nystery in Jesus life in Ignatian contemplation. |
Forerunner.......lay hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul,
both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil,where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus,having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 6 : 19 & 20 NKJV Friend philos |
"Meditato" corresponds with what St Ignatius in the "second week" calls contemplation.
"Oratio" in which one asks or begs for ,or desires what has been seen as good or needed,or desirable, is the same as the Ignatian colloquay. In the monastic tradition that was held to be as far as we can go, aided indeed by grace, in seeking God. "Contemplatio" is something that is simply given and cannot be acquired or induced; the corresponding termin St Ignatius is consolation. What is important is to recognize that reading is with a view to metitation, that meditation is with a view to prayer, that prayer is with a view to that openness to God or readiness for his gift that disposes the spirit to receive what God freely desires to give. In the same way the prelimnaries to Ignatian contemplation are with a view to prayer, to colloquy, to speaking"as a friend speaks with a friend. The "Asking for what I desire" at the begining expressed by St Ignatius in the familiar language of faith, becomes through the movement experienced in the hout of prayer and in the light of what has happened, in the light too,of personal history, experience and self awareness, an exchange that becomes more and more concrete, particular and personal.. Joseph Veale The Way Supplement spring 1985. Infused contemplation2nd Peter 1 :3&4
By His divine power, He has given us all the things that we need for life and true devotion. Through these gifts you will be able to share the divine nature... The person who practices infused contemplation is imbewed and inspired personally by the Holy Spirit When , in prayer, our efforts are inadequate to effect the union we seek, we must wait upon the power which pours itself into us (infusion ) and through which our prayer is perfected: And this WAITING ON GOD------is also prayer. Contemplatives call it infused contemplation when God secretly teaches the soul and instructs it in the perfection of love,without efforts beyond loving attention to God, listening to his voice and admitting the light he sends, without understanding how this is infused contemplation. JOHN OF THE CROSS 1542-91.. |
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants, for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth: but I have called you friends:for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known to you.. John 15: 13-15 AV. What a Friend we have in Jesus All our sins and grief to bear! What a priviledge to carry Everything to God in prayer can we find a friend so faithful, who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness Take it to the Lord in prayer Joseph Scriven 1820-1886 FRIEND OF SINNERS .........a title given to Our Lord Jesus by his accusers in MATTHEW 11: 19 and LUKE 7:35 |
The Frame of ContemplationHere is a way to focus your imagination for the sake of coming to know, love and follow Jesus better This is the frame of contemplation in the Ignatian contemplations on the Incarnation and on the Birth of Jesus.
It is a "method" which everyone uses in his or her own way and gets out of it something uniquely their own. |
GIFT of GOD JESUSIf you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you "Give me a drink" you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.
JOHN 4:10 The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ ROMANS 6:23 |
The Ladder of ContemplationSt JOHN CASSIAN 360-433 referred to a "ladder of contemplation"
consisting of three rungs, The first rung was contemplation of many things. The second rung was contemplation of a few things, The third rung was contemplation of One alone in pure and wordless prayer. |
The Glory of thy people30 mine eyes have seen thy salvation
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people 32 A light to lighten the gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel. ST LUKE CH2 v30,31-32 AV |
Contemplation of the Nativity Scene Countless numbers of people down the centuries have joined in contemplating the Nativity Scene. They have knelt in spirit beside the crib, filled with awe and wonder at the mystery of God's love. There is far too much mystery for our comprehension but a great deal for our contemplation. There is a timelessness about the scene, its power is not confined to a particular age, The whole of mankind, past and present come under its influence,
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GODGod is our refuge and our strength,
a very present help in trouble. therefore will not we fear...... PSALM 46:1 Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings and a revealer of secrets DANIEL 2:47 NKJV |
Contemplate GodContemplate God with your spiritual eyes
I hear in the rustling of leaves and rippling of waves that pristine invitation echoing from Gennesaret a call to contemplate the face of God in serenity. Contemplation of the holiness and humility of God astounds the soul and with deep veneration she worships Him in love, A prayer of this kind may sometimes be transformed into contemplation of the Uncreated Light. Archimandrite Sophrony " On Prayer" |
God Almighty And God Almighty bless thee
GENESIS 28:3 AV God Blessed for ever4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants,
the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises 5 to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Messiah, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen ROMANS 9:4-5 N.R.S.V. God Incarnate.
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