Tonight we're going to take a look at yet another type of Prayer. This prayer is known as disciplined prayer. I know as we are looking at different types of Prayer you're going to hear a lot of repetition because as I said before, these techniques tend to overlap each other. But think of each of these types of prayer methods as being a preparation for true-centered prayer.
Tonight I use Matthew 6:5-8 where Jesus taught us, 5 “Whenever you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites, because they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by people. Truly I tell you, they have their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 7 When you pray, don’t babble like the Gentiles, since they imagine they’ll be heard for their many words. 8 Don’t be like them, because your Father knows the things you need before you ask him.”
Disciplined prayer is a prayer method that began in the 4th century and is used to quiet the static in our mind, reduce the mental noise and improve the receptivity of our communication with God. Did you catch that? Do you ever go to God in Prayer with other things on your mind? Of course, you do. If we can reduce the mental noise as we prepare to pray it will greatly improve the receptivity of our communication with God. That’s what disciplined prayer is all about.
Some call this prayer method, prayer of the heart, others call it prayer of simplicity or as we call it, centering prayer. It is a prayer method that stills the scattered thoughts in our mind, enabling us to pick up on the finer levels of communication with God.
It's also a prayer method that provides a way to place your very life in the presence of God. I wonder sometimes if, as we go to prayer, if we realize that God is right there with us. Disciplined prayer is relational. It provides a way for us to dwell in the very presence of Christ himself. Then, in Christ’s presence, we become free from anything that might limit us as we pray. Our ideas of God are enlarged. Our understanding of God's action in our life is expanded.
Then, in Christ's presence, we allow all the inner distractions and frustrations to melt away before God just as snow melts before the sun. We allow him to calm the storms that rage within us by hearing the words “peace be still.” Then we allow God's great silence to still our noisy hearts.
But there are obstacles to disciplined prayer. Our culture is not typically supportive of disciplined prayer and other contemplative pursuits as we discussed last week. In some religious circles, they don't see the disciplined prayer or contemplative prayer practices as being good. Some have actually said, “If you quiet your mind, Satan will enter.” In reality, just the opposite happens, then you can hear the quiet voice of God more clearly and understand more completely.
Sometimes technological noise invades our silence. I have mentioned more than once that when we prepare to pray, we turn off the radios, tvs, computers, dvds, CDs and anything else that might be blaring in the majority of Christians lives. It seems like sometimes we can't stand silence.
Another obstacle to disciplined prayer is the lack of understanding and a lack of a practical way of practicing disciplined prayer. Our false self generates emotional programming that prevents us from looking inward to see who we really are. This is not something that comes naturally. We must learn it.
And then, many fear God and are emotionally afraid of him. But the Old Testament word “fear” means that someone has the right relationship with God. Yet many understand that to fear God causes them to run away or fight. Most don't want to get into a fight with God. So, until this misguided fear of God is removed, the person won't trust God, nor will they want to be alone with Him.
So let's recap some of the things that we have talked about the past couple of weeks. To practice disciplined prayer, choose that sacred word as a symbol of your consent to yield to God's presence. Some examples might be: Jesus, Abba, Spirit, Lord Jesus, love, shalom, peace. Or you may choose an attribute or characteristic of Jesus such as holy, friend, wonderful, all powerful, all knowing.
Sit in a moderately comfortable position, close your eyes, take a few deep breaths slowly, and consent to be in God's presence. Totally relax your body as we practiced a few weeks ago.
Gently introduce your word and say it slowly, try not to allow any mental distraction to enter your mind.
When you become aware that you are distracted, simply return to the word again and say it slowly.
Repeat this each time you're distracted, see an image in your mind, and create a memory, reflect on an event or begin to make commentary on the situation. You can say something like, “Lord, as I prepare to come to You, I hear all the loud cars zooming by, or I hear the AC fans running.” Don't react negatively to your distractions, just return to your sacred word.
At the end of your prayer time, remain in silence with your eyes closed for a couple of minutes. Then begin to practice the other spiritual disciplines that you intend to participate with during your time of contemplation. Begin by practicing this prayer method for 5 minutes a day. Then move to 5 minutes twice daily. As the days progress you might work up slowly to 20 minutes, twice daily.
Centering prayer is so refreshing when you learn to practice it correctly. It's important to realize that the purpose of disciplined prayer is to hear God more readily and discipline your mind. You will be amazed after daily practice the difference you will experience in two to three months.
The fruits of this prayer may not be noticeable to you, but others may notice the benefits long before you. That happened to me after the first pastoral retreat I went to and learned to practice centering prayer. I had several people mentioned to me that something seemed different about me.
Disciplined prayer method helps lay a ready foundation for other contemplative disciplines that you practice immediately following your prayer experience. That can include journaling or things like that to make a record of your prayer experience.
