This blog is the first in a series of blogs on the opportunities and obstacles to deep personal prayer that is, indeed, a true treasure.
There is an important point I want to make for the readers of this series of blogs on “obstacles and opportunities for deep personal prayer”.
Over the centuries, there has been a common understanding of three stages of development in the spiritual life. These are the Purgative/Beginner, Illative/Advanced and Unitive/Perfect.
A person will receive information according to his stage of development that is one of these three categories. Each stage of development is more than a label. Each will receive information in a very specific and different way than the other stages.
The point I want to emphasize is that we should not be discouraged when we encounter material that seems unrelated or just irrelevant to our experience. The spiritual journey is a long and complex venture. However, our particular task is simply to accept where we are. This allows us to take our own particular next step on our pathway to God.
So, as you read and ponder the following blogs on “deep personal payer”, I want to encourage all to be patient with yourselves and do not become disheartened. God is with you right where you are. The Spirit knows what you need for the journey.
SECTION ONEAn Opportunity for Deep Personal PrayerDeep Personal Prayer: A True Treasure
In the very first days of his Pontificate, Pope Francis proclaimed the importance of prayer. In a daily homily he said:
“The Lord tells us the first task in life is prayer. But not the prayer of words, like a parrot; but the prayer of the heart gazing on the Lord, hearing the Lord, asking the Lord.”
This Blog, Praying Alone Together, has the goal to explain, support and encourage the prayer Pope Francis describes. I use the term “deep personal prayer” to identify this kind of prayer.
In The Catechism of the Catholic Church there are several definitions of prayer. One from St. John Damascene states: “Prayer is the raising of one’s mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God”.
Our “good things” often conflict with God’s “good things”. A significant part of the Christian life is learning to discern the difference and importance of our self-perceived “good things” and the “good things” of God. More often than not, our “good things” are wrapped in the false values of our materialistic and consumer driven culture rather than the values of the Gospel.
For most people, a good part of their journey as Christians and searching people involves this transition from our plan for happiness to God’s plan for our happiness. We are clear with what we want and what we think we need. It is like the adult list for Santa. However, through the experience of life’s many trials and a more loving awareness of the wisdom and beauty of the gospel, we gradually see the need for change. This eventually leads to the long and costly process of letting go and letting God. We become serious about making God the center of our lives. This spiritual growth is one of the important functions of the journey to contemplative prayer. Deep personal prayer plays a critical role in this transformation.
In these pages I use two spiritual giants to define the prayer that I describe as deep personal prayer. Thomas Merton explains prayer as follows: “Prayer then means yearning for the simple presence of God, for a personal understanding of God’s word, for knowledge of God’s will, and for the capacity hear and obey God.”
In Merton’s definition of prayer, God is our true focus. We search for understanding and direction in our lives that will guide us toward God. Our call to contemplation becomes clearer in this style of prayer. We find five key points in Merton’s definition of prayer.
- All prayer must raise our awareness and lead us to pay attention to God’s presence.
- We need to engage God’s word. This is first and foremost through the Bible but it also is in the experiences of life.
- The involvement with God’s word leads us to God’s will. This begins a process of undermining selfishness and encouraging generosity toward God and others. Prayer is critical in this enlightenment.
- In this style of prayer, listening is the most important feature.
- Finally, as we grow in understanding of God’s word and seeking God’s will, the Spirit directs us to follow Jesus.
Teresa of Avila offers this description of prayer: “In my opinion, prayer is nothing else than an intimate sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with Him who we know love us.” (Life VIII, 5). In all of Teresa’s writings, the emphasis is unquestionably on the God “who we know loves us.” There is a continual growth in that love when we continue to be faithful to Jesus.
