Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
I find the Breath Prayer using Yahweh to be very helpful by making me more sensitive to the presence of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit all around and in me. It’s a very warm, comforting and reassuring feeling. Yes, I agree with you Abbot Dan that it is fascinating that our first breath and last breath acknowledges our Creator.
I certainly agree with you Francis that welcoming and contemplative prayers take a lot of practice. They truly do not just happen. You have to work at them. But, the rewards for working at using these prayer forms are great. I find that giving my surroundings and distractions to God is very healthy. I’m working at truly letting go of my need for power, control and security. I’ve been working for years at accepting God’s will before my own, and I acknowledge that accepting that He is in control of my world brings a great release from much of my daily stress. And yes, I’m feeling much more physically and spiritually closer to the Holy Trinity then I have ever felt before.
Pray for me and I will pray for you.Francis:
At first I imagined my self as one of Jesus’ disciples; but, then my perspective changed, and I was one of the crowd who had come from far away to hear him speak. I felt my hunger pangs from going for 3 days with little or know food. I could see that my surroundings were desolate, far away from anywhere that I could purchase food. Then I saw Jesus take loafs of bread tear them in half and give them to his disciples to hand out to the crowd. Then he took some fish, blessed them and asked his disciples to give them to the crowd. The bread I ate and the fish were the best that I ever had tasted, and I was amazed how much was left over after everybody had eaten their fill.
Then Jesus sent us away to share the message he had told us and the miracle that we witnessed.Joseph:
I am in a rapid learning period presently. My prayer life has been strong, but not very varied. I’m finding an expanding growth as I try practicing contemplative prayer and meditation. I feel myself drawing closer to God spiritually, and to the Holy Ghost. Yes, Father Dan I am finding my hand in Christ’s. Like you Joseph I am trying to discipline myself more in all facets of life; prayer, studying the Bible, sharing my testimony with others as I come into contact with them, and really listening to the counseling and striving of those that I come into contact with. I’m finding the Benedictine Rule to be a very good discipline for my life now.
Recently I have become more disciplined in studying the bible and other good books. But, I didn’t realize that by not meditating and contemplating what I had read I was missing out on key components of the process to gain more knowledge of God, Jesus and the Holy Ghost. I hope to gain more knowledge of the benefits of spending time meditating and contemplating what God would have me know.
When I was young, I didn’t have the patience to spend much time in contemplation and meditation. I believed that praying, attending church and keeping busy doing good deeds was what God was asking of me. I have learned recently that He desires me to want to be in His presence, not just in prayer, but in study, and in disciplining my life to obey His laws and promptings. I’m still trying to understand His Grace; I’m fearfully awed at His creative power, and humbled that He is even aware of me, and wants me to be in His presence. I want to know Him better and accomplish the purpose He created me for, so that when I lay this body down and my spirit returns to Him I might spend eternity in His presence. I’m so looking forward to learning more about contemplative prayer.
