Soon we will be coming upon the season of Advent, a time to prepare our hearts for the coming of
Christ. But I have a question. When you pray, do any of you take some time to prepare your heart/mind/body to focus on God? Are there any breathing or body exercises or positions you assume to help you to focus on the Divine? Does anyone take the time to prepare to enter into God's Presence or do we rush in with no thought of the Sacred place we are going?
In my Contemplative Prayer group we have learned some of these techniques to help us focus on God and I am wondering what anyone else might be doing.
Spiritual Direction in groups is very powerful. The group becomes a kind of practice of listening to and for God. There is also a group comprised of spiritual directors that meets once a month. There is a lot of quiet , a lot of listening time in our meetings together, and those times are very fruitful for me, and I think for the other members as well. The discipline over time builds the potency of the work. Most urban areas now have spiritual direction resources -- I really recommend the practice. I have practiced yoga, meditation and other inner disciplines for many years, and Christian spiritual direction is... different from those other disciplines. Part of the difference is the advent part, the sense of waiting and listening. Doing just that, in community with others. It sounds too simple, but faithfulness to the practice changes hearts..
Pax et bonum..
Posted by: Elizabeth Scupham | November 16, 2006 at 10:00 PM
I spend my weekdays literally writing out my prayers. I learned this in Hybels book Too Busy Not To Pray. It has helped me slow down and thing about my prayers.
Posted by: Kevin Bussey | November 16, 2006 at 09:27 AM
I don't currently pay much attention to posture, etc. though I find that kneeling can sometimes be very helpful. I also recently started using some prayer beads as both a tactile and visual aid in praying and it has been immensely helpful, perhaps as much as the Office.
Posted by: Paul | November 16, 2006 at 12:07 AM
For those who do not know the "Collect for purity" is:
Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,... that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Posted by: Monk-In-Training | November 15, 2006 at 12:02 PM
I find that if my mind is elsewhere and not "ready" to pray, I often say the collect for purity ("...all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid...") and that gets me there.
Posted by: Anglican | November 15, 2006 at 10:31 AM
Just found your blog!
God bless
Maria in the UK
www.inhishands.co.uk
Posted by: Maria | November 15, 2006 at 02:35 AM
Please talk about your contemplative prayer group.
Posted by: Tulsagentleman | November 14, 2006 at 05:21 PM
Yes. Some breathing exercises, some body positions, some mind-focussing etc as mentioned on website....but always room for improvement and so I'm interested to revisit your blog for more. GBY, Brother Tadhg
Posted by: Brother Tadhg | November 14, 2006 at 12:02 PM
No I don't,
But I would be interested in what you do. I sure would like to make my prayer life more effective.
Posted by: Kevin Bussey | November 14, 2006 at 11:07 AM