Dare I Be
Still? "Isn't it dangerous attempting to empty your mind of
all thoughts, feelings and images? Isn't an idle mind the
devil's workshop?" That question has risen in every class on
contemplative prayer I've been in. First, I doubt that we can
do it. It's almost impossible to stop the mind from thinking.
Our goal's not an idle mind, but a quiet and stilled mind. We
try to recall all our wandering thoughts and center ourselves
totally in God. A simple prayer word or phrase helps us do
this. We want to hold one simple prayer in our mind and heart.
In time, our clamoring thoughts begin to quiet. We long to
give "loving attentiveness" to God. We want to sit still and
silent in the Presence. "The Lord is in his holy temple, let
all the earth be silent before him." (Habakkuk 2:20) Our most
eloquent words and creative images are so paltry before Him.
"Silence is God's primary language, all else is a poor
translation." Second, we need to remember who lives within us.
God, in Jesus Christ, through the person of the Holy Spirit,
indwells the heart of every believer. We don't come to prayer
as empty vessels, even though we may often feel so. Through
centering ourselves in God, we find wholeness and healing from
the fragmentation. The devil doesn't live within the believer
- Jesus does. In contemplative prayer, we're surrendering
ourselves to this Christ within. We enter into the silence of
our own hearts and find ourselves in the silence of God. What
joy and peace there is in Him. Third, 1 John 4:4 reminds us,
"the one who's in you is greater than the one who's in the
world." Jesus says, "... take heart, I've overcome the world."
(John 16:33) As you continue your journey with God, you may
find yourself beset with fears, guilt and temptations of all
kinds, even during your prayer times. Offer them to God. God's
wanting to bring healing and wholeness to the deepest recesses
of your mind and heart. Bad thoughts, evil images can surface
from a subconscious that has been bombarded by and entertained
such for a life time. They're not likely from the evil one.
God's wanting to surface, cleanse and heal all our brokeness.
We can welcome the stillness and silence. God's
there!
If reading online is not convenient for you,
(every day) and you would like to receive the daily
devotional "talks", just click on the link below...an
e-mail form will appear. Just add "Join" in the subject
line and send. If for any reason you decide it is...or
becomes inconvenient...just reply to any "talk" or send
a blank e-mail with "remove" in the subject line. We try
to remove within 24 hours.
All works included in this
section are thought to be in the public domain. Where
possible, permission has been obtained. The use of any
work that is still protected by copyrights without
permission is purely an oversight and unintentional.
Owners of such copyrights or heirs of the authors
who have legal interests in any of these works
are asked to contact us so that permission can be
obtained.
