January Focus: Contemplative Prayer

Perhaps nothing robs us of the fullness of life more effectively than the distractions of noise, hurry and crowds.  These prevent us from perusing anything more than the superficial elements of life.  Many of us have become so accustomed to the distractions that we become anxious if we are alone without some kind of noise like a television or radio playing in the background.  If we are going to have fullness of life as God intends we must make a conscience effort to return to the type of quite contemplative prayer practiced in the Bible by the prophets, by the apostles and by Jesus himself.
Contemplative prayer is not related to mysticism and even differs from the more well-known traditional Christian prayers of adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication.  Contemplative prayer is the ability to hear God’s voice and obey his word.  It involves creating a physical, emotional and spiritual place which welcomes Christ to come and creating an inner sanctuary in our hearts where we meet with Him, listen to Him and learn from Him.