Prayer from the heart
Tuesdays are set aside for prayer and fasting for the Kansas City Underground, and we’re grateful for your participation as we follow the biblical model of corporate prayer. While our guides are usually straightforward, they also allow flexibility for longer reflection. At times, we introduce historical Christian prayer practices that use language that might feel unfamiliar or challenging.
As a network we aim to embrace the diversity of these historical traditions within the Church, rather than only elevating the voice of the mainstream. Today’s guide draws from a contemplative tradition. Like any other tradition we have not experienced or “grown up” in, it may feel foreign and uncomfortable.
We encourage you to explore it, and be like the Bereans in the book of Acts (17:10-12), who were described as “noble and opened-minded,” and also “searched the Scriptures” to test for the truth.
Consider:
The only way we can live in His presence in uninterrupted fellowship is by means of prayer—a very special kind of prayer. It is a prayer that leads us into the presence of God and keeps us there at all times; a prayer that can be experienced under any conditions, any place and any time. A kind of prayer that can be practiced by kings, priests, soldiers, laborers, children, women and even the sick.
This kind of prayer is not a prayer that comes from our minds. It is a prayer that begins in our heart. It does not come from our thoughts or our understanding. Prayer offered to the Lord from our mind simply is not adequate. Why? Because our mind is limited. The mind can pay attention to only one thing at a time. Prayer that comes out of the heart is not interrupted by thinking!
There is one thing that can cause this prayer of simplicity to cease–our selfish desires. But even here there is encouragement, for once we have enjoyed the Lord and tasted the sweetness of His love, we will find that even our selfish desires no longer hold any power. We will find it impossible to have pleasure in anything except Him.
How do we begin? We need only one thing. We need only to know how to seek Him. As we seek, we will discover that this way to God is more natural than taking a breath.
Practice: Praying the Scripture
Turn to the scripture; choose a simple passage that is fairly practical. Next, come to the Lord. Come quietly and humbly. There, before Him, read a small portion of the passage of Scripture you have opened to.
Be slow as you read. Take in fully, gently and with heart what you are reading. Taste it, digest it. Let go of the desire to seek the main point of the passage. Continue on only when you have sensed the very heart of what you have read.
Reflect:
You may then want to take that portion of scripture that has touched you and turn it into prayer. If helpful, take time to journal this prayer.
Consider:
In “Beholding the Lord,” we approach His presence in a totally different way. The greatest difficulty in waiting upon the Lord has to do with our mind, as it has a strong tendency to stray from the Lord. As we come before the Lord to sit in his presence, we will make use of the scripture to quiet our mind.
Practice: Beholding the Lord
First, read a passage of scripture. Once you sense the Lord’s presence, the content of what you have read is no longer important. The Scripture has served its purpose; it has quieted our mind; it has brought us to Him.
While you are before the Lord, hold your heart in His presence. How? By faith. Now, waiting before Him, turn all your attention toward your spirit. If your mind begins to wander, gently return your attention to the inward parts of your being. You will be free from wandering,and you will be brought near to God.
The Lord one promised to come and make his home within us (John 14:23). He promised to there meet those who worship Him and do His will. The Lord will meet us in our spirit
Once our hearts have been turned inwardly to the Lord, we will have an impression of His presence. Sweetly and silently, our mind becomes occupied with what we have read and by that touch of His presence. Instead of thinking about what we have read, we will feed upon what we have read. When we arrive at this state, may we allow our mind to rest.
Practice: Nourishing our soul
As we experience this peaceful state, swallow what we have tasted. At first this may seem difficult, but just as we experience a tasty meal, nourishment comes from swallowing the food. It is the same with our soul. In this quiet and simple state, take in what is there as nourishment.
Reflect: We have a gracious Lord!
The Lord’s chief desire is to reveal Himself to us. In order for Him to do that, He gives us an abundant grace. The Lord gives us the experience of enjoying His Presence. He touches us, and His touch is so delightful that, more than ever, we are drawn inwardly to Him.
*This practice of prayer comes from Madame Guyon. To further explore Praying the Heart of the Father, consider reading “A Short and Easy Method of Prayer.”