How then do we actually
do contemplative
prayer?
Your contemplative
prayer time is going to
be a personal journey
guided by the Holy
Spirit. However,
here are some
suggestions that may
help you.
Before the
Blessed Sacrament - sit
or kneel. Gaze into the
Tabernacle or look into
the Monstrance. Be
still. Focus on your
breathing. Ask Mary to
help you to pray.
Pray to the Holy
Spirit. Then
peacefully repeat a word
or a phrase: Jesus;
Jesus I love you; Jesus
I trust in you; Father;
Father, into your hands
I commend my spirit,
etc. Don't
continue to repeat the
word or the words over
and over again.
Only use the word or the
phrase when your mind
begins to wander. Focus
your gaze on the
Eucharist. Be open to
whatever Jesus is asking
of you.
At home - sit or kneel.
Close your
eyes. Again, be still
and focus on your
breathing. Ask Mary to
help you to pray.
Pray to the Holy
Spirit. As
before, repeat a word or
a phrase, rooted in the
scripture, the creed, a
prayer or an aspect of
our Christian faith.
Do not repeat the word
or words over and over
again.
Remember to use the word
only when your mind
begins to wander. Focus
your gaze on the loving
presence of God within
you. If you begin to
feel embraced by God, be
still and be silent.
Just allow the Holy
Spirit to pray within
you.
Jesuit Father William
Johnston who has written
much about contemplative
prayer said: "Properly
understood,
contemplation shakes the
universe, topples the
powers of evil, builds a
great society, and opens
the doors that lead to
eternal life".
We all need moments of
solitude.
Spending a quiet time
before the Eucharist,
reading the Scriptures
during a peaceful moment
at home, taking tranquil
walks through the woods
or along the beach all
are necessary for our
soul. In order to be
with God,
we must develop the
ability to be alone with
ourselves.
